Systems and methods of cannabis oil extraction

ABSTRACT

A cannabis oil extraction apparatus may include an extraction unit, condenser, winterization unit, micron filter, preheater, short-path distillation unit, and condenser. The extraction unit may utilize cellular disruption in a food grade solvent to extract cannabis oil from plant material. The short-path distillation unit may utilize molecular distillation. The short-path distillation unit may include a recirculation loop for multiple passes through the short-path distillation unit to separate extract components by weight. In one example, multiple short-path distillation units may be aligned is series to incrementally separate extract components by weight.

TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure is related to extraction techniques and systemsfor extracting cannabis oil from cannabis plants.

BACKGROUND

The cannabis plant include constituents such as cannabinoids havingnumerous therapeutically beneficial applications that have been used totreat a variety of diseases and conditions for centuries. For example,cannabinoids may be used to treat glaucoma, arthritis, insufficientappetite associated with anorexia or HIV/AIDS, posttraumatic stressdisorder, insomnia, nausea arising from chemotherapy, and chronic pain,among others.

Among the medically significant cannabinoids found in the cannabis plantare tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabidivarin(CBDV). In particular, THC has anti-inflammatory, analgesic,neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant properties. CBD has been found tohave analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antipsychoticproperties. Both CBD and CBDV are reported to have anticonvulsantproperties useful in treatment of various forms of epilepsy, especiallyin children.

These cannabinoids, along with others, as well as terpenes andflavonoids may be extracted from the cannabis plant to harness theirmedicinal properties. The extracted oil may be further refined toisolate particular cannabinoids or blends of cannabinoids for desireduses.

Extracting cannabis oil from cannabis plants generally employing asolvent or non-solvent based extraction technique. Non-solvent basedtechniques include rosin and dry sifting. Water-based techniques arealso considered to be non-solvent based techniques. Solvent-basedtechniques for extracting cannabis oil include supercritical CO2 andhydrocarbon extraction.

Supercritical CO2 extraction utilizes high pressures and extremely lowtemperatures to extract cannabis oil using carbon dioxide in liquidform. While the CO2 may ultimately be removed from the final product.Equipment cost is notably high and lacks scalability. Supercritical CO2extraction is currently the preferred standard technique utilized by theindustry.

Hydrocarbon extraction typical requires washing milled plant materialwith a liquid hydrocarbon solvent such as butane or propane. An alcoholmay also be used. The mixture is then filtered and the filtrate isheated under vacuum to remove the solvent to produce butane hash oil.Winterization using an ethanol solvent may be used to clean the productand produce shatter.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a cannabis oil extraction apparatus comprises anextraction unit, horizontal condenser, winterization unit, micronfilter, preheater, short-path distillation unit, and vertical condenser.

The extraction unit may include an extraction vessel, a transducer, amechanical agitator, and a jacket. The extraction vessel may define aninterior volume to contain solvent and plant material. The transducermay be directed toward the interior volume to emit ultrasonic soundwavesthrough the solvent. The mechanical agitator may extend into theinterior volume and be movable therein to mechanically agitate thesolvent and plant material. The jacket may include passages to receive athermal medium comprising a heated fluid. A first pump may fluidicallycouple to the interior volume of the extraction vessel to evacuateatmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere within the interior volume.

The horizontal condenser may fluidically couple to the interior volumeof the extraction vessel to receive steam and gas comprising solvent andplant material extract produced within the interior volume. Thehorizontal condenser may include an interior passage through which toreceive and flow the steam and gas, a condensing surface positionedalong the interior passage, and a jacket comprising passages to receivea thermal medium comprising a cooling fluid to cool the condensingsurface. A second pump may fluidically couple to the interior passage ofthe horizontal condenser to evacuate atmosphere and provide a negativeatmosphere within the interior passage.

The winterization unit may include an inline winterization unit coupledto the horizontal condenser by one or more transport lines configured toflow extract from the horizontal condenser to the winterization unit.The inline winterization unit may be configured to reduce thetemperature of the extract to approximately −20° F. or below.

The micron filter unit may be coupled to the horizontal condenser by oneor more transport lines configured to flow the extract from the inlinewinterization unit to the micron filter. The micron filter unit may beconfigured to filter extract to remove particulates to micron scale.

The preheater may be coupled to the micron filter unit by one or moretransport lines configured to flow the extract from the micron filter tothe preheater, the preheater is configured to heat the extract.

The short-path distillation unit may be coupled to the preheater by oneor more transport lines configured to flow the extract from thepreheater to the short-path distillation unit. The short-pathdistillation may include an evaporation chamber to receive the extract,and a jacket comprising a passage to receive a thermal medium comprisinga heated fluid. A third pump may fluidically couple to the evaporationchamber to evacuate atmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere withinthe evaporation chamber.

The vertical condenser may fluidically couple to the evaporation chamberto receive vapor produced within the evaporation chamber. The verticalcondenser may include an interior passage through which to receive andflow the vapor, a condensing surface positioned along the interiorpassage, and a jacket comprising passages to receive a thermal mediumcomprising a cooling fluid to cool the condensing surface. A fourth pumpmay fluidically couple to the interior passage of the vertical condenserto evacuate atmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere within theinterior passage.

In one example, a recirculation loop may extend between an output portof the evaporation chamber and an input port of the evaporation chamberfor transporting extract that passes through the evaporation chamberwithout evaporating to the evaporation chamber for recirculation. Therecirculation loop may include a recirculation storage tank for storingextract prior to recirculation.

In one example, the vertical condenser comprises one or more verticalcondensers. A collection line may couple an output port of at least oneof the vertical condensers and an input port of the evaporation chamberfor transporting condensed extract from the vertical condenser to theevaporation chamber for recirculation. In a further example, arecirculation loop may extend between an output port of the evaporationchamber and an input port of the evaporation chamber for transportingextract that passes through the evaporation chamber without evaporatingto the evaporation chamber for recirculation. In a further example, therecirculation loop comprises a recirculation storage tank for storingextract prior to recirculation and the collection line couples to therecirculation loop.

In one example, the short-path distillation unit comprises a pluralityof short-path distillation units aligned in a series. One or moretransport lines may extend between an output port of each of theshort-path distillation units and an input port of a subsequentshort-path distillation unit. The evaporation chamber of the subsequentshort-path distillation unit may be configured to be heated to atemperature higher than the evaporation chamber of the previousshort-path distillation unit. In a further example, the verticalcondenser includes one or more vertical condensers. A collection linemay couple an output port of at least one of the vertical condensers andan input port of at least one of the evaporation chambers in the seriesfor transporting condensed extract from the vertical condenser to theevaporation chamber for recirculation.

In one example, the first pump comprises the second pump and the thirdpump comprises the fourth pump. In a further example, the first pumpcomprises the second, third, and fourth pumps. In one example, themicron filter comprises a press filter or a vibratory shear-enhancedprocess (VESP) filter unit. In some embodiments, the one or moretransport lines coupling the micron filter unit and the preheatercomprise a storage tank for storing the extract between processingthrough the filter unit and the preheater. In various embodiments, theshort-path distillation unit comprises a wiped film extractor.

In one embodiment, the jacket of the short-path distillation unitincludes a first jacket and a second jacket. The first jacket may beconfigured to receive a first thermal medium and include a passagepositioned to heat an upper portion of the evaporation chamber and thesecond jacket may be configured to receive a second thermal medium andinclude a passage position to heat a lower portion of the evaporationchamber. The transducer may include a full spectrum transducer.

In another aspect, a method of extracting cannabis oil may include:transmitting soundwaves through a mixture of plant material and solventto obtain a fluid mixture of solvent and extract; applying heat to themixture of solvent and extract within a negative pressure environment toconvert the fluid mixture of solvent and extract to steam and gas;condensing steam and gas in a horizontal condenser to separate thesolvent from the extract; winterizing the extract in an inlinewinterization unit; filtering the winterized extract with a micronfilter; preheating the filtered extract with a preheater; evaporating afirst portion of the extract in an evaporation chamber of a short-pathdistillation unit, wherein a second portion of the extract passesthrough the evaporation chamber without evaporating; condensing thefirst portion of the extract in a vertical condenser; and evaporatingone or more portions of the second portion of the extract in the same orone or more additional evaporation chambers at higher temperatures andcondensing these one or more additional portions separately in the sameor one or more additional vertical condensers to obtain refined cannabisoil pay products comprising cannabinoids isolated by weight.

In one embodiment, the method may further include evaporating one ormore additional portions of the first portion of the extract in the sameor one or more additional evaporation chambers at lower temperatures,and condensing these one or more additional portions separately in thesame or one or more additional vertical condensers to obtain additionalrefined cannabis oil pay products comprising cannabinoids isolated byweight.

In one example, the plant material is wet. In some embodiments, themethod includes mechanically agitating the plant material and solventduring transmitting the soundwaves through the mixture of the plantmaterial and solvent. Transmitting the soundwaves through the mixture ofplant material and solvent may further include rotating the frequency ofthe transmitted soundwaves.

In one embodiment, the method may further include collecting low weightterpenes in the horizontal condenser that condense at a lowertemperature than the solvent, and adding the low weight terpenes to oneor more of the refined cannabis oil pay products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the described embodiments are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The described embodiments,however, both as to organization and manner of operation, may be bestunderstood by reference to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an extraction system according tovarious embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an extraction system according tovarious embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates an extraction vessel of the extraction systemaccording to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a condenser unit of the extraction system accordingto various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a winterization unit of the extraction systemaccording to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a filter unit of the extraction system according tovarious embodiments described herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a preheater of the extraction system according tovarious embodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a short-path distillation unit of the extractionsystem according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a condenser unit of the extraction system accordingto various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10 is a method of extraction using an extraction system accordingto various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 11 is a method of extraction using an extraction system accordingto various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a control system of the extraction systemaccording to various embodiments; and

FIG. 13 is a further schematic of the control system including hardwareunits according to various embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes an extraction system and method forextraction of cannabis oil from the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa. Themethod may include using the system to extract cannabinoids, e.g.,tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, and more than one hundred othercannabinoids, flavonoids, e.g., cannaflavins, terpenes, and terpenoids.The method may further include using the system to obtain refined oilextract products of one or more cannabinoids, one or more flavonoids,one or more terpenes, one or more terpenoids, or a combination thereof.

Current apparatus used to obtain cannabis oil do not include end-to-endprocessing. Furthermore, current apparatuses and methods are notscalable. For example, using supercritical CO2 extraction on large-scalehemp operations cannot not be done in a cost effective manner and cannotrefine the product or isolate cannabinoids.

In various embodiments, the extraction system includes an apparatusconfigured for the complete end-to-end processing of plants to extractcannabis oil and obtain a refined oil extract product. In one example,the extraction system may be configured for complete end-to-endprocessing of plants to obtain refined oil extract product includingcannabinoids isolated at their weights and in custom concentrations tomeet client needs.

In addition to not providing end to end processing or scalability,current high throughput extraction of cannabis oil does not utilize wetplant input. According to various embodiments herein, the extractionsystem may accept wet plant input and may not require that plants bedried prior to being fed into the system. Thus, embodiments of theextraction system disclosed herein may utilize plant input, e.g.,straight from the fields; thereby avoiding time and costs associatedwith drying processes. Additionally, the extraction system may beoperated proximate to the fields in which the plants grow to avoidtransportation costs associated with transporting raw plant material todrying facilities or extraction systems.

FIGS. 1-13 illustrate various features and components of the extractionsystem 10 according to various embodiments wherein like numbers identifysimilar features and components.

The extraction system 10 may include various extraction components forperforming various sub-processes of the extraction system 10 such asagitating, extracting, separating, heating, cooling, condensing,distilling, and/or refining products. Extraction components may alsoinclude components such as pumps for controlling pressure within theextraction system 10 or its sub-process equipment. In variousembodiments, sub-process equipment may include one or more of anextraction vessel 200, condenser unit 300, winterization unit 400,filter unit 500, preheater 600, short-path distillation unit 700, orcondenser unit 800 (see, e.g., FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the extraction system 10 may include or be in fluidcommunication with storage vessels for storage of product, includingintermediate or refined pay materials, processing material such assolvent, and/or thermal medium such as oil, water, or other fluid.

The extraction system 10 may also include transport components such asone or more of transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30(FIG. 1) for transporting product and/or processing materials betweensub-process equipment. Transport lines may generally comprise a flowpath through which fluid may be transported. For example, transportlines may include piping or plumbing. Transport components may alsoinclude thermal transport lines for transporting thermal mediums to oneor more sub-process equipment and/or transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22,24, 26, 28, 30. Transport components may also include apparatus forcontrolling transport of product, processing material, and/or thermalmedium such as valves and pumps.

The extraction system 10 may also include thermal components such asheaters, coolers/refrigerators, and/or insulated liners or jacketing forproviding precise temperature control during processing, which in someembodiments may include during transport of product and/or processingmaterials between sub-process equipment and/or storage vessels. In someembodiments, one or more thermal components may be associated with asub-process equipment or transport component. For example, one or moresub-process vessels, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30,storage vessels, or combinations thereof may be jacketed for circulationof a thermal medium. Thermal components may also include storage vesselsfor storage of thermal mediums. In one example, transport componentssuch as thermal medium pumps and thermal medium transport lines may beused to transport thermal mediums between heaters or coolers configuredto impart desired thermal state to thermal mediums and one or moreprocessing apparatus, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, thermal medium storage vessels, or combination thereof.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, illustrating a schematic diagram ofthe extraction system 10 according to various embodiments, plantmaterial 12, which may also be referred to as feed, may be fed into anextraction vessel 200 for extraction of crude extract. The rate andvolume of feed fed into the extraction vessel may depend on theapplication. Considerations may include choice of solvent; solvent depthor volume relative to plant material; vessel pressure; temperature;plant material, piece size, or density; agitation rate or mechanicalenergy input; or sound transducer parameters, as examples.

[How is the feed delivered into the extraction vessel? before or aftersolvent?] In some embodiments, the extraction system 10 includes atransport component comprising a feed delivery subsystem 50. The feeddelivery subsystem 50 may include, for example, one or more of a pipe,hopper, chute, belt, auger, or combinations thereof along which plantmaterial 12 may be transported and/or delivered into the extractionvessel 200. In some embodiments, the amount of plant material fed intothe extraction vessel 200 may be metered by the feed delivery system 50to control the amount of feed subject to extraction. For example, thefeed delivery system 50 may include a feed belt wherein the speed of thefeed belt may be modified to control feed supply. In this or anotherexample, an opening into the extraction vessel 200 may be selectivelyopened, closed, or restricted to control feed supply. In a furtherexample, the feed delivery system may include feed containers orpartitions that hold discrete amounts of plant material that may bedelivered into the extraction vessel in a controlled sequence. In oneexample, the feed is fed into the extraction vessel at a continuousrate.

In any of the above or another example, and with further reference toFIGS. 12 & 13, the extraction system 10 may include a control system1000. The control system 1000 may include a controller 1010 operable tosystem operations 1015, e.g., processes and parameters, of the controlsystem 1000. In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may be operable tocontrol parameters such a temperature of product, processing materials,or environment with respect to one or more sub-process equipment,transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or combinationsthereof. For example, the controller 1010 may be operable to actuatevalves to control flow or pressure, initiate or adjust operations ofpumps, heaters, coolers, agitators, or other system operations 1015.

In various embodiments, the control system 1000 may include orcommunicate with one or more sensors 1020 to obtain extraction processdata 1030 from which the controller 1010 analyzes to determine variouscontrol operations. The extraction process data 1030 may be transmittedfrom the one or more sensors 1020 to the controller 1010 via wired orwireless communication port. For example, the communication port, whichmay include multiple communication ports each associated with one ormore sensors 1020 may include a transmitter or transceiver to transmitthe extraction process data 1030 to communication port 1040, which mayinclude or communicate with a receiver or transceiver to receive thetransmitted extraction process data 1030. In some embodiments, the oneor more sensors 1020 include thermal sensors, pressure sensors, opticalsensors, video or image sensors, proximity sensors, flow sensors,proximity sensors, motion sensors, moisture sensors, weight sensors,sound or electromagnetic wave sensors (transmitter, receiver, ortransceivers), capacitance sensors, or other sensors.

In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may receive extraction processdata 1030 comprising temperature data from one or more temperaturesensors 1020 a positioned to measure temperature of product, processingmaterial, or environment with respect to one or more sub-processequipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, orcombinations thereof. The controller 1010 may analyze the temperaturedata and modify system operations 1015 as necessary to maintain orobtain a desired temperature. For example, the controller 1010 mayadjust flow rates of thermal medium and/or increase or decrease heateror cooler outputs with respect to processing apparatus, transport lines14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, thermal medium, or combinationsthereof.

In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may receive extraction processdata 1030 comprising pressure data from one or more pressure sensors1020 b positioned to measure pressure associated with one or moresub-process equipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, or combinations thereof. The controller 1010 may analyze thepressure data and modify system operations 1015 as necessary to maintainor obtain a desired pressure. For example, the controller 1010 mayinitiate an evacuation pump to increase or decrease pressure or may openor close a flow or pressure relief valve. The control system 1000 mayalso be configured to react to warning and/or shutdown events. Forexample, the controller 1010 may initiate a warning such as a sound,light, indication on a user display panel, or a notification messagesent by email, text, or other messaging protocol, for example, ifpressure data indicates a threshold deviation from a programedparameter. In some embodiments, the controller 1010 may be programed toshut down one or more sub-process equipment if pressure data indicates athreshold deviation from a programed parameter. In one example, thecontroller 1010 may be configured to shutdown processing via theextraction vessel 200 when pressure data indicates pressure is aboveapproximately −10 psi. When configured for initiating a warning andshutdowns, the threshold for a shutdown event may represent a greaterdeviation that for a warning event.

In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may receive extraction processdata 1030 comprising temperature data from one or more temperaturesensors 1020 b positioned to measure temperature associated with one ormore sub-process equipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26,28, 30, or combinations thereof. The controller 1010 may analyze thetemperature data and modify system operations 1015 as necessary tomaintain or obtain a desired temperature. For example, the controller1010 may initiate increase power to heaters or coolers or an increase inflow to one or more sub-process equipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18,20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or combinations thereof to increase or decreasea processing environment temperature. The control system 1000 may alsobe configured to react to warning and/or shutdown events. For example,the controller 1010 may initiate a warning such as a sound, light,indication on a user display panel, or a notification message sent byemail, text, or other messaging protocol, for example, if temperaturedata indicates a threshold deviation from a programed parameter. In someembodiments, the controller 1010 may be programed to shut down one ormore sub-process equipment if temperature data indicates a thresholddeviation from a programed parameter. When configured for initiating awarning and shutdowns, the threshold for a shutdown event may representa greater deviation that for a warning event.

In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may receive extraction processdata 1030 comprising flow rate data from one or more flow sensors 1020 cpositioned to measure flow associated with one or more sub-processequipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, thermaltransport lines, or combinations thereof. The controller 1010 mayanalyze the flow data and modify system operations 1015 as necessary tomaintain or obtain a desired flow. For example, the controller 1010 mayinitiate a pump to increase or decrease flow rate.

In one embodiment, the control system 1000 may receive extractionprocess data 1030 comprising feed data from one or more feed sensors1020 d positioned to measure plant material 12 or input rate of plantmaterial 12. In some embodiments, the one or more feed sensors 1020 dinclude optical sensors, video or imaging, weight sensors, sound orelectromagnetic wave sensors (transmitter, receiver, or transceivers),capacitance sensors, or other sensors positioned to collectcorresponding feed data to be utilized by the controller 1010. Thecontroller 1010 may utilize the feed data to control the amount of plantmaterial 12 delivered into the extraction vessel 200. For example, thecontroller 1010 may modulate system operations 1015, such as belt speed,flow, opening or closing of a chute or opening into the extractionvessel 200 or a holding area, or augur speed, for example, to controlfeed rate. In some embodiments, a use may utilize the user may interface1050 to identify, measure, or specify the plant material feed rate.

The control system 1000 may include a user interface 1050 to interface auser with the control operations of the control system 1000. The userinterface 1050 may be used to select predefined processes that mayinclude predefined parameters of one or more components or processingapparatuses. In some embodiments, the user interface 1050 may be used toindividually address parameters of one or more processing apparatus,extraction component, transport component, thermal component, orcombination thereof to define or modify an associated operation orparameter of the extraction system. In one embodiment, the controlsystem 1000 includes a database 1060 for storing processing protocolsdefining operations of the extraction system 10. For example, thedatabase 1060 may include a plurality of processing protocols that maybe selected by a user, e.g., via the user interface 1050, to controlspecific operations of the extraction system 10. In a further example,the plurality of processing protocols includes specification ofcannabinoid weights or weight ranges to be output from refiningprocessing.

In one embodiment, the database 1060 further include algorithms forconforming operations and associated processing parameters to feedcharacteristics. For example, the database 1060 may include algorithmsfor adjusting feed rate, solvent amount, flow rates, pressure,temperature, or other parameters with respect to an input or measureamount of plant material fed into the extraction system 10. In a furtherexample, the user interface 1050 allows a user to select one or more ofa plurality of processing protocols and an amount of plant materialinput. The controller 1010 may utilize the protocol and algorithms tomodify and scale operations and associated processing parametersaccordingly to achieve the desired output. As described in more detailbelow, processing protocols may include solvent selection according todesired extraction product and/or transducer frequency parameters.Similarly, a user may utilize the user interface 1050 to select solventor solvent blends, agitation rate, extraction duration, and/ortransducer frequency parameters and/or durations.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, as noted above the plant material 12may be wet; however, plant material 12 may also be delivered into theextraction vessel 200 dry. In various embodiments, the plant material 12is preferably pre-processed into pieces having a largest dimension ofapproximately 1 to 2 inches (+/−10%) or less. The plant material may becut or ground. Other size pieces may be used, such as larger pieceshaving a largest dimension less than 5 inches or less than 3 inches orsmaller pieces having a largest dimension less than 1 inch or less thanhalf an inch, for example. Larger pieces may also be used but may reduceyield and/or increase extraction time and overall process efficiency. Athresher or grinder may be used, for example. Beneficially,hammer-milling is not required, although hammer-milling could be used.For optimal efficiency and product quality hammer-milling may not berecommended as hammer-milling may result in product degradation. Asdescribed in more detail below, the extraction system 10 may be equippedwith extraction components such as agitators configured to work theplant feed in a manner and environment less detrimental to the cannabisoil components that are the target of the extraction.

In some embodiments, the extraction system 10 may include or beconfigured to operate in conjunction with a pre-processing subsystemcomprising a grinding apparatus (not shown). The pre-processing systemmay be in-line with the extraction vessel 200 or delivery system 50 togrind plants 12 prior to the ground pieces being fed into the extractionvessel 200. For example, a mechanical cutter or grinder may pre-processplant material and the ground plant material may then be transported,which may be metered, as described above, into the extraction vessel 200via the delivery subsystem 50. In one embodiment, the delivery system 50includes an integrated preprocessing system comprising a grinder. Invarious embodiments including a control system 1000 (FIGS. 12 & 13), thecontrol system 1000 may also utilize the one or more sensors 1020, suchas feed sensor 1020 d, to monitor plant piece sizes. For example, whenthe feed data indicates a piece size larger or smaller than desired thecontroller 1010 may stop delivery of plant material 12, generate anotification, e.g., an audio alarm, or adjust cutting or grindingoperations to obtain the desired piece size or range of piece size.

The extraction vessel 200 may define an interior volume into which theplant material 12 may be subjected to the cannabis oil extractionprocess. The interior volume may also be configured to receive anextraction solvent, which may be multiple solvents or co-solvents.According to one method, the extraction system 10 utilizes an extractionsolvent comprising one or more food grade solvents, such as food gradeethanol. The solvents may include a blend of solvents or food gradesolvents. As a result of the extraction, the cannabis oil includingcannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids may be extracted from the plantmaterial 12 and taken up within solvent to form a solvent/extractionmixture. As described in more detail below, the solvent/extractionmixture may then be evaporated into gas and steam for subsequentseparation.

In various embodiments, the extraction vessel 200 may include one ormore extraction components comprising an agitator. The agitator may beconfigured to disrupt or agitate the mixture of solvent and plantmaterial 12 within the interior volume of the extraction vessel 200. Forexample, the extraction vessel may include a mechanical agitator 210.The mechanical agitator 210 may include one or more agitation membersthat may translate or rotate vertically, horizontally, or at anotherangle within the interior volume. The one or more agitation members mayinclude extensions configured to engage plant material 12 and/or solventto move the plant material 12 and/or within the interior volume tothereby agitate the mixture. In various embodiments, a mechanicalagitator 210 may be mounted in the center of the interior volume of theextraction vessel 200 to move the plant material 12 evenly through theduration of the oil extraction from the plant material 12. In oneembodiment, the mechanical agitator 210 may be driven by a motorconnected to the agitation member, e.g., the agitation member mayinclude a shaft that the motor rotates. In some embodiments, themechanical agitator 210 is driven by a moving magnetic field, which maybe generated by a magnetic field generator or by a motor output drivinga magnet or magnetic attractive material.

In any of the above or another embodiment, the extraction vessel 200 mayinclude a sonic agitator. For example, the extraction vessel 200 mayinclude a transducer 220 comprising one or more sonic or ultrasonictransducers. The transducer 220 may be configured to generate vibrationsor soundwaves within the solvent. For example, the transducer 220 may beimplemented for sonication at amplitudes adapted for cellular disruptionof the plant material 12 to assist in breaking up the plant material 12and bonds. The transducer 220 may be a full spectrum transducer forproducing full spectrum soundwaves. In some embodiments, the transducer220 may generate soundwaves between 5 kHz and 250 kHz or more. In oneexample, the transducer 220 may rotate through frequencies to providefull spectrum emission through the solvent to target a wide spectrum ofplant material densities. Amplitude may be held constant or varied. Inone example, the transducer 220 may rotate through multiple frequencyblocks.

In embodiments including a control system 1000 (FIGS. 12 & 13), thecontroller 1010 may be configured to monitor and/or control solventsupply, e.g., modulate pumps and valves, transducer 220, e.g., sonicwave forms or parameters, and/or mechanical agitator 210. For example,the control system 1000 may operatively couple to the transducer 220and/or mechanical agitator 210, e.g., to device specific controllers orpower delivery to transducer 220 or motor for driving agitator member,to selectively control the associated operations of the transducer 220and/or mechanical agitator 210. The controller 1010 may also be used tospecify particular solvent blends. It has been found that differentplant materials require different solvents and different lengths ofextraction time for optimal extraction and that different soundwavefrequencies for disrupting bonds of organic material and oil (paymaterial) have correspondence to density of the pay material (oil)extracted. For example, rotating frequencies at different densities ofplant material with different solvents produces different effects withrespect to extraction of particular cannabinoids. In variousembodiments, the transducer 220 may be operated at specific frequenciesor frequency ranges to target specific cannabinoids. The transducer 220may also be operated at multiple specific frequencies or frequencyranges to target multiple cannabinoids. The transducer 220 may includemultiple transducers positioned to emit soundwaves into the interiorvolume of the extraction vessel 200. In some embodiments, the multipletransducers may comprise an array of transducers. The array oftransducers may include one or more radial arrays of transducerspositioned about a perimeter of the interior volume to direct soundwavestoward a center or other portion of the interior volume. In variousembodiments, the transducer 220, or one or more transducers thereof, maybe movably mounted to control a direction of soundwave emission. Forexample, the transducer 220, or one or more transducers thereof, may bepivoted in vertical, lateral, or other directions. In one example, thecontroller 1010 may be configured to operate a positioning motor oractuator to direct the transducer 220, or one or more transducersthereof. In a further example, the controller 1010 may direct thetransducer 220, or one or more transducers thereof, in multipledirections during an extraction process. For example, the controller1010 may direct the transducer in a first direction for a first periodof time and in a second direction for a second period of time.

Various frequencies and combinations of frequencies, including rotatingfrequencies may be used. As introduced above, the extraction system 10may include a control system 1000. In one embodiment, a user may enterinformation via the user interface 1050 related to the plant materialsubject to extraction. The information may relate to the density of theplant material and/or other information such as plant type, quality,water content, or other information related to the plant material. Inone example, one or more sensors 1022 are used to determine plantdensity, e.g., optical sensor, electromagnetic wave or field transmitterand receiver, weight sensor, or capacitance sensor, or other plantinformation to be used to select extraction parameters. In variousembodiments, the controller 1010 may increase a programed residence timebased on measured or entered parameters, e.g., via the user interface1050. For example, plant material with higher oil content may correspondto shorter residence time with respect to initial oil extraction withthe extraction vessel 200. The controller 1010 may use this informationto determine extraction parameters such as frequency, mechanicalagitation rate, solvent volume, or residence time in the extractionvessel 200. For example, the control system 1000 may include a controlprogram 1080 for determining the extraction parameters or extractionprotocol corresponding to the plant information received. In oneexample, an extraction protocol specifies a residence time ofapproximately 1 to 4 hours. Plant material that is more fibrous, denser,dryer, and/or longer, e.g., compared to a set standard or numericallyspecified by an extraction protocol or program of the control program1080, may result in the controller 1010 utilizing a longer residencetime or selecting an extraction protocol or program having a longerresidence time, while less fibrous, less dense, wetter, and/or shorterplant material may result in the controller 1010 initiating a shorterresidence time. The control program 1080 may also include a plurality ofextraction programs for controlling the system operations 1015 accordingto the extraction parameters determined by the controller 1010. Theextraction programs may comprise instructions that when executed by thecontroller 1010 control system operations 1015 according to a definedsequence and method. Various measured or entered parameters with respectto the plant material and/or target extraction components may specifyparticular extraction programs specifying a particular extractionprotocol for controlling the extraction system operations 1015. In someembodiments, the controller 1010 or instructions of an extractionprogram are configured to respond to feedback provided by sensors duringthe extraction process to modify the extraction program based onmeasured conditions or input by a user.

In various embodiments, the extraction vessel 200 may further be heated.For example, the extraction vessel 200 may be associated with a thermalcomponent such as a heater positioned to heat the interior volume. Inone example, the extraction vessel 200 comprises a thermal componentcomprising a jacket. The jacket may jacket the extraction vessel 200 orinterior volume thereof and include an interior volume that a thermalmedium may be flowed within to transfer heat to the interior volume ofthe extraction vessel 200. The thermal medium may include a heated fluidsuch as hot gas, water, steam, or oil, for example. In one embodiment,the solvent may also be warmed prior to mixing with the plant material12.

In some embodiments, the extraction vessel 200 may include an extractioncomponent comprising a vacuum pump or otherwise be configured forevacuation to near vacuum, e.g., from between approximately 10 psi toapproximately −15 psi, such as between approximately 5 psi toapproximately −10 psi. The vacuum pump may be fluidically coupled to theinterior volume of the extraction vessel 200 and operable to evacuateatmosphere and reduce pressure within the interior volume.

Thus, in one embodiment, plant material 12 may be delivered into anextraction vessel 200 and mixed with solvent. The mixture may bemechanically agitated with an agitation member and disrupted bysonication. The cannabis oil may be extracted from the plant material 12and be contained within a solvent/extract mixture. The interior volumemay be heated and evacuated to near vacuum prior to, during, orfollowing extraction. The extract includes cannabinoids, terpenes, andother materials.

A low pressure environment within the interior volume of the extractionvessel 200 assists in vaporization by decreasing boiling points of themixture constituents. Consequently, lower heat or energy input isrequired to drive vaporization of the solvent/extraction mixture. Thelower temperatures required for evaporation also lowers cannabinoid burnoff and degradation.

The solvent/extraction mixture may exit the extraction vessel 200 in gasand steam Thus, the extraction vessel 200 may further comprise avaporization vessel. However, in other embodiments, thesolvent/extraction mixture may be transported from the interior volumeutilized for extraction to one or more separate vaporization vesselscomprising separate or distinct interior volumes for vaporization. Insome such embodiments, one or more of these vaporization vessels may beat near vacuum and may be heated as described above and elsewhere hereinwith respect to the extraction vessel 200. In some embodiments, theextraction vessel 200 includes a series of extraction vessels 200. Theextraction vessels 200 may be provided in parallel, for example, andfeed the condenser unit 300, which may be a single condenser or multiplecondensers.

Embodiments including a control system 1000 (FIGS. 12 & 13), may includea controller 1010 configured to monitor and/or control transducerduration and frequency, plant material resident time within theextraction vessel, duration of agitation, plant material and associateprocessing materials such as solvent volume, and/or temperature. Theextraction vessel 200 and associated extraction process may therefore bescalable with respect densities and types of cannabis oil extractionprocesses. The extraction system 10 may therefore be variable intemperature, density, duration, frequency range. The extraction processwith respect to the extraction vessel 200 may utilize a temperaturecontrolled vessel and variable frequency transducers to produce avariety of extracted products to provide customization of the extractionprocess.

The extraction system 10 may also be scalable in capacity. For example,multiple sub-process equipment may be provided in series or parallel.Multiple storage tanks may also be coupled together to collect.

The extraction system 10 may be configured for batch or continuousprocessing. For example, remaining biomass may be removed from theextraction vessel 200, e.g., through a bottom discharge port, uponcompletion of the extraction. Additional plant material and solvent maythen be introduced into the interior volume of the extraction vessel 200for subsequent extraction.

Transport component 14 may be configured to transport the gas and steamsolvent/extraction mixture from the extraction vessel 200 to thecondenser unit 300. Transport component 14 may comprise one or more flowpaths fluidically coupled to the extraction vessel and condenser unit300, for example.

As introduced above, the condenser may be evacuated to a pressure lowerthan atmosphere, which may be at near vacuum. In this or anotherembodiment, the condenser unit 300 may preferably comprise a horizontalcondenser. The condenser unit 300 may be cooled by a thermal component.For example, the condenser unit 300 may comprise a body that isjacketed. The jacket may define an interior volume through which thermalmedium comprising a cooling fluid may be provided to cool a condenserpath within the body through which the gas and steam is flowed. Thecooling fluid may be provided at a temperature between approximatelyroom temperature and approximately −50° F.

The condenser unit 300 may be configured to receive the gas and steamand selectively condense the gas and steam for separation of solventfrom the crude extract. For example, the gas and steam may be flowedthrough the condenser unit 300 to separate the pay material fromsolvent. The condenser unit 300 may separate the pay material from waterand solvent, thereby, demulsifying and dewatering the extractionmixture. In various embodiments, the condenser unit 300 may recapturesolvent and some of the lower boiling point terpenes for reuse later bythe extraction system 10. For example, recaptured solvent may bereturned to a solvent storage tank for reuse in further extractions. Insome embodiments, the condensate produced along an initial cooledportion of the condenser unit 300 is collected as the solvent andlighter terpenes and the condensate produced along a subsequent cooledportion of the condenser unit 300 is collected as the crude extract. Infurther embodiments, the condensate collected along the initial portionof the condenser unit 300 may be further separated such that condensateproduced along a first portion of the initial portion is collected asthe lighter terpenes and the condensate produced along a second portionof the initial portion is collected as the solvent. Accordingly, theselow weight terpenes may be captured and returned to the pay materialduring or after the process. For example, the terpenes may be added torefined pay material collected following short-path distillation.

Utilization of a condenser unit 300 comprising an in-line condenserdemulsifier separator in the extraction process allows the extractionsystem 10 to accept wet plant material. For example, use of a horizontalcondenser after the extraction vessel 200 reduces water content beforewinterization, thereby saving processing costs.

Transport component 16 may define one or more fluid paths fluidicallycoupled to the condenser unit 300 to receive and transport a solventportion of the condensate for reuse or disposal. In some embodiments,transport component 16 transports the solvent to a solvent storage tank.

Transport component 18 may define one or more fluid paths fluidicallycoupled to the condenser to receive and transport the condensatecomprising the crude extract, or pay material, to the winterization unit400. In some embodiments, transport component 18 includes a fluid pathfor collecting the light terpenes condensed within the condenser.Transport component 18 may transport these terpenes to a terpene storagetank or to refined product storage tanks, for example. Transportcomponents 16, 18 may also include one or more pumps or valves forcontrolling flow of condensate. In one embodiment, transport component18 includes a storage vessel for storage of the pay material prior totransport to the winterization unit 400.

The winterization unit 400 may comprise an inline winterization unit toseparate glycerin and organic wax from the pay material. Thus, thewinterization unit 400 may winterize and dewax the pay material. Thewinterization unit 400 may decrease the temperature of the pay materialand then filter the low temperature pay material to separate theglycerin and organic wax. The winterization unit 400 may include avessel having an interior volume through which the pay material moves.The winterization unit 400 may further include a thermal componentcomprising a refrigerant system configured to extract thermal energyfrom the pay material as the pay material is flowed within the interiorvolume to thereby reduce the temperature of the pay material. Thethermal component may include a jacket lining the winterization unit orflow paths through which the pay material is flowed, for example. In oneexample, the pay material exits the condenser at a temperature between220° F. and 100° F., such as between 160° F. and 120° F., and is flowedthrough the winterization unit 400 wherein the temperature of the paymaterial is reduced to approximately −20° F. to −50° F., such asapproximately −30° F. The abrupt drop in temperature may drivesolidification and/or agglomeration of glycerin and waxes. Thewinterization unit 400 may include filters through which the cool paymaterial is filtered to remove the glycerin and wax. Wax and glycerinremoval prior to further extraction processing prevents buildup orgumming up and/or the breaking down of sub-process equipment furtherdown the line.

Transport component 20 may define one or more fluid paths to receive thepay material from the winterization unit 400 and transport the paymaterial to a filter unit 500. In one example, Transport component 20may include one or more pumps to assist in transport or one or morestorage vessels to store the winterized pay material prior to transportto the filter unit 500.

Transport component 20 may transport the winterized pay material to thefilter unit 500 wherein the pay material is further filtered. Filterunit 500 is configured to remove particulates from the pay material tothe micron. In various embodiments, the filter unit 500 includes a pressfilter or vibratory shear enhancing process (VSEP) filter unit. Thefilters through which the cool pay material is passed with respect tothe winterization unit 400 preferably filter larger particles tomaintain a consistent flow through the filters and filter unit 500. Forexample, filtering in winterization with larger filters forwinterization may reduce clogging events or filter cleanings compared touse of smaller filter sizes. However, in one embodiment, the extractionsystem 10 does not include filter unit 500 and transport component 20transports pay material from the winterization unit 400 to the preheater600. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the filter unit500 may be an extension of the winterization process to includeadditional filters for filtering progressively smaller particles.

Transport component 22 may define one or more fluid paths to receive thepay material from the filter unit 500 and thereafter transport the paymaterial to a preheater 600. In one example, transport component 22 mayinclude one or more pumps to assist in transport or one or more storagevessels to store the pay material prior to transport to the preheater600.

The preheater 600 is positioned to receive the pay material fromtransport component and heat the pay material prior to cannabinoidextraction at the short-path distillation unit 700. The preheater 600may heat the pay material to achieve temperature control and optimizesubsequent recovery of the temperature sensitive cannabinoids. Forexample, the preheater 600 may heat the pay material to betweenapproximately 100° F. and approximately 220° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature to which the preheater 600 heats the pay material maycorrespond to an evaporation temperature with respect to the separationtargeted in the short-path distillation unit 700. In variousembodiments, the preheater 600 may heat the pay material to atemperature between approximately 120° F. and 160° F., approximately140° F. and approximately 200° F., or approximately 160° F. andapproximately 220° F. The temperature of the preheater 600 and the flowof the pay material may be controlled to achieve precise temperaturecontrol of the pay material to between +/−10° F., +/−5° F., +/−2° F., or+/−1° F., for example.

Transport component 24 may define one or more fluid paths to receive thepay material from the preheater 600 and transport the pay material tothe short-path distillation unit 700. Transport component 24 may alsoinclude one or more pumps to assist in transport.

The pay material may be fed into the short-path distillation unit 700for separation of pay material constituents. The short-path distillationunit 700 may be configured for molecular distillation. The short-pathdistillation unit 700 may include a vessel having an interior volumethrough which pay material is flowed. The short-path distillation unit700 may include a thermal component for heating the vessel, e.g., aheater or jacket through which a heated fluid may be flowed. In someembodiments, the short-path distillation unit 700 comprises a thin filmor wiped film evaporator. The pay material may be fed into the interiorvolume or evaporation chamber and distribute along a heated wall orheated surface within the interior volume. Wiper blades may be movablewithin the interior volume to agitate or work the film of pay materialalong the surface. Exposure to the heated surface in the low pressureenvironment may result in selective evaporation of solvent and paymaterial components. In one embodiment, configurations such as fallingor rising film evaporators may also be used. In one embodiment, theshort-path distillation unit 700 may comprise an agitated filmevaporator or a short-path evaporator comprising a cold condensationsurface within the interior of the vessel to capture and condense gasand steam evolving from the heated surfaces, which may define the outerperimeter of the interior volume of the vessel proximate to thecondensing surface. The short-path distillation unit 700 may beconfigured to isolate and then send the isolate to the appropriatevessels as needed. For example, the vessel may include one or more, suchas multiple, discharge ports for multiple receiving tanks for receivingrefined isolates having specific compositions, such as cannabinoids byweight. The evaporation chamber may be at low pressure, such as lessthan approximately −5 psi, less than approximately −10 psi, or lower.

The short-path distillation unit 700 may be configured with arecirculating loop for refining multiple passes. For example, theshort-path distillation unit 700 may be configured with a recirculatingloop to recirculate extracted material for isolating specificcannabinoids for separation or for multiple passes. After a firstpass-through at a first setting, the first run material may be depositedinto a vessel and then the remaining material may be recirculated backfor one or more second pass-throughs at a different settings. In someembodiments, the recirculation loop may include the preheater 600. Forexample, pay material for recirculation may be collected and stored in apay material recirculation tank prior to recirculation. The settingsparameters may include, e.g., temperature, pressure, flow rate, and/orwiper rate. For example, increase in temperature may result inevaporation of higher weight components. To counter thermal loss duringresidence time in the pay material recirculation tank, the pay materialmay also be recirculated through the preheater 600 prior torecirculation through the short-path distillation unit 700. In someembodiments, a valve may be used to route the pay material alongtransport lines for recirculation through the preheater 600 or to bypassthe preheater 600 before recirculation through the short-pathdistillation unit 700. In some embodiments, temperature sensors 1020 amay measure the temperature of the pay material for recirculation andsend the measurements to the controller 1010. The controller 1010 maydetermine if preheating in necessary and, if so, actuate the value toroute the pay material through the preheater 600. The controller 1010may also determine heating temperature of the preheater 600 in order toheat the pay material to the desired temperature for the particularweight separation desired during the recirculation through theshort-path distillation unit 700.

The unevaporated material from the short-path distillation unit 700 orcondensed material from the condenser 800 may be collected and passedthrough the same or a different short-path distillation unit 700. Thetemperature of the short-path distillation unit 700 during thesubsequent pass may be higher or lower to target evaporation of lower orhigher weight cannabinoids. This may be repeated to obtain the desiredseparation of cannabinoids. Changes in temperature may be provided byhigher temperature thermal medium, flow rate of thermal medium, and/orwiper rate, for example.

As introduced above, the short-path distillation unit 700 may includemultiple short-path distillation units 700 aligned in series, eachconfigured to separate/evaporate a particular weight or weight range ofcomponent in the pay material. The short-path distillation unit 700 mayalso include multiple short-path distillation units 700 arranged inparallel defining multiple distillation paths that may be separate orconverging at one or more points along the path. For example, atemperature or temperature range may be set for a particular unit toevaporate a weight or weight range of component. For example, thecannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has a boiling point of 157° F.and maybe evaporated within the evaporation chamber at lowertemperatures due to a low pressure environment and the increasesexposure to surrounding air within the evaporation chamber. Thistemperature for evaporation at the same pressure is lower than heaviercannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin(THCV), which have boiling points of 160° F.-180° F. and 220° F.,respectively. Thus, subsequent increased temperatures may be used toevaporate higher weight cannabinoids, while still heavier cannabinoidspass through the evaporation chamber.

The evaporated components may be subsequently condensed in the condenser800, which may include a plurality of condensers each associated withone or more of the short-path distillation units 700. For example, thecondenser 800 may include multiple condensers 800 aligned in series,each configured to separate/condense a particular weight or weight rangeof component in the pay material. The condenser 800 may also includemultiple condensers 800 arranged in parallel defining multiplecondensation paths that may be separate or converging at one or morepoints along the path. The condensed component may then be collected. Insome embodiments, the collected condensed component may be furtherrefined by processing in one or more additional short-path distillationunits and condensers. The pay product may include one or both of thematerial that fails to evaporate within the evaporation chamber or thecondensate obtained in the condenser 800.

In some embodiments, one or more manifolds may be positioned before orafter one or more short-path distillation units 700. For example,transport component 24 a or intermediate transport components mayinclude manifolds for distributing outputs of the short-pathdistillation unit 700 and/or condenser 800. Plant material may bedistributed from the manifold to two or more short-path distillationunits 700 or series or paths of distillation units configured toseparate/evaporate a particular weight or weight range of component inthe pay material. Similarly, additional manifolds may be positionedafter the short-path distillation units 700 or within a series or pathof distillation units to further distribute the unevaporated paymaterial or condensed pay material for further separation.

Transport component 26 may define one or more fluid paths to receive thepay material from the one or more discharge ports of the short-pathdistillation unit 700 and transport the pay material to one or more paymaterial receiving tanks. As noted above, the short-path distillationunit 700 may include multiple discharge ports, thus, transport component26 may include separate flow paths for transporting the pay materialreceived from each discharge port to a separate pay material tank. Insome embodiments, however, transport component 26 may define two or moreflow paths that converge to combine pay materials. In one embodiment,the transport component 26 may be used to collect fractions comprisingselect refined cannabinoids and/or other pay material components. One ormore pumps may be used to assist in transport of the pay material.

Transport component 28 may define one or more fluid paths positioned toreceive gas and steam from the short-path distillation unit 700 andtransport the gas and steam into an interior volume of to the condenserunit 800. The condenser unit 800 may be located proximate to theshort-path distillation unit 700. In various embodiments, condenser unit800 comprises a vertical condenser. The condenser unit 800 may include athermal component such cooling surfaces and/or a jacket lining forcondensing the gas and steam flowed through the interior volume. Thecondenser unit 800 may be at low pressure, such as less thanapproximately −5 psi, less than approximately −10 psi, or lower. Thecondenser unit 800 may separate remaining solvent and extracted paymaterial. Transport component 30 may define one or more fluid paths forreceiving condensate comprising separated solvent and one or more fluidpaths for receiving condensate comprising separated pay material. Therespective fluid paths may transport the condensates to solvent andproduct tanks.

In various embodiments, the extraction system 10 further includes avapor-liquid separator. For example, a transport component defining afluid path may be positioned to receive any remaining material from thecondenser unit 800 and transport the material to the vapor-liquidseparator for collection. The vapor-liquid separator may be temperaturecontrolled to ensure uniform recovery of terpenes and other liquids. Forexample, a temperature controlled vapor-liquid separator may be used toremove remaining solvents and condense other remaining gases, e.g.,terpenes, for recovery. The recovery may be reused as described aboveand elsewhere herein, such as by addition to collected pay products. Inone embodiment, the short-path distillation unit 700 comprises avapor-liquid separator upstream of the condenser unit 800, which may bein addition to or instead of a downstream vapor-liquid separator. Asused herein, a vapor-liquid separator may include or alternatively be aliquid-gas separator.

As introduced above and described in greater detail below with respectto FIGS. 2-11, the extraction system 10 may include thermal componentsfor thermal maintenance of one or more processing environments,transport environments, or both of the extraction system 10. In variousembodiments, the extraction system 10 controls temperature from themoment the plant material 12 enters the extraction vessel 200 andthroughout the entire process to obtain refined pay material. Forexample, all vessels and plumbing such as transport components and linesmay be temperature controlled. In some embodiments, sub-processequipment may be positioned proximate to subsequent sub-processequipment that maintenance or change in temperature of the transient paymaterial is unnecessary. For example, in some embodiments, transportlines between the condenser 300 and winterization unit 400 may betemperature controlled to maintain a pay material temperature within thetransport lines above approximately 100° F., above approximately 110°F., above approximately 120° F., or above approximately 130° F.Maintaining temperature above such minimums may promote suddentemperature drop at the winterization unit 400. In one embodiment,transport component 20 and/or transport line 20 a, 20 b may beconfigured to prevent temperature of the pay material from rising abovea predetermined maximum temperature. In this or another embodiment, oneor more of transport components 22, 24 and/or transport lines 22 a, 22c, 24 a may be temperature controlled to maintain pay materialtemperatures within the lines above a predetermined temperature. In someembodiments, transport components and lines may be configured to impartheat to the pay material as it is flowed there-through. In one example,such transport components and lines may assist or replace preheater 600.It will be appreciated that in some embodiments preheater 700 may beassociated with a storage tank, such as storage tank 22 b or anotherstorage tank, wherein the pay material is heated prior to being passedto the short-path distillation unit 700. In one embodiment, storage tank22 b may be configured with a heater, e.g., thermal coils, jacket, orother heater configuration, to heat the pay material prior to thepreheater 600. In some embodiments, all plumbing may not be temperaturecontrolled. Various embodiments including a storage tank 22 b mayinclude multiple storage tanks 22 b that receive pay material from oneor more winterization units 400 or filter units 500.

Further to the above, maintaining optimal processing and transporttemperatures provides a tight temperature control to limit unwanted burnoff and limit pay material degradation. In some embodiments, theextraction system 10 is temperature controlled from end-to-end utilizingthermal components comprising jacketed processing components andtransport components. Jacketed may include heat exchange/transferbetween thermally conductive materials defining the flow path throughwhich the pay material passes. Thus, in some embodiments, lines,passages, or coils through or over which thermal fluid may be flowedand/or electric heaters may be positioned adjacent to pay material flowpaths. Steam, oil, liquid, fluid, or other medium may be used to controltemperature, for example. The extraction system 10 may therefore bescalable, temperature controlled, which may be from end-to-end, withheating and cooling, configured for recapture of solvent and terpeneorganically, arranged with in-line winterization and dewaxing, andconfigurable to extract and isolate cannabinoids at their weight throughshort-path distillation. As noted above, active temperature control maynot be necessary at one or more points along the transport paths betweenthe sub-process equipment, e.g., due to proximity between certainsub-process equipment or where degradation is not a concern.

Sound and solvents may be used with in-line condensers and vapor-liquidseparators that are automated using the control system and withoutchemicals. The extraction system 10 may utilize low pressure andnegative atmosphere at certain parts of the process without chemicals,which leads to a safer working environment. The extraction system 10 maybe configured to operate without purging any liquids and/or gases andrather separate constituents by negative atmosphere and then store themin appropriate vessels. The extraction system may also be a closedsystem from end to end. This may ensure that any vapors or gases remainin the proper vessels and are not released into the atmosphere where thevapors may explode. In preferred embodiments, steam is not introduced tothe product as steam is detrimental and causes degradation of theproduct.

As noted above, the extraction system 10 may process cannabis oilwithout chemicals. For example, dewatering may take place in-linethrough automated equipment. For example, condenser unit 300 may be ahorizontal condenser which separates like gases comprising terpenes,solvents, and pay material without the use of chemicals.

The extraction system 10 may include completely integrated extractionapparatuses and processing and all in one processing automation andtemperature control throughout the process. The extraction system 10 mayalso avoid the use of decarboxylation. Solvent may be removed withoutchemicals through the use of condenser unit 300 comprising a horizontalcondenser, condenser unit 800 comprising a vertical condenser, and avapor-liquid separator after the vertical condenser. Filtration may alsobe in-line and automated via filter unit 500 comprising a micron filter,e.g., micron press filter or VSEP filtration unit. The in-line filterunit 500 may be used to ensure that all particulates are removed so thatonly cannabis oil and remaining solvent enters the wiped film extractor.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of the extractionsystem 10 described with respect to FIG. 1. The extraction systemincludes sub-process units comprising an extraction vessel 200, a firstcondenser unit 300, winterization unit 400, filter unit 500, preheater600, short-path distillation unit 700, and a second condenser unit 800.FIGS. 3-9 illustrate enlarged cross-section views of these sub-processunits according to various embodiments.

With specific reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, plant material may bedelivered to the extraction vessel 200 via the feed delivery subsystem50, which may include, for example, one or more of a pipe, hopper,chute, belt, auger, or combinations thereof along which plant materialis transported to the extraction vessel 200.

The extraction vessel 200 defines an interior volume 230 for containingsolvent and plant material. The extraction vessel 200 also includes athermal component for providing heat to the interior volume 230. Asshown in FIG. 3, a jacket 219 is provided for temperature control with athermal medium. In this embodiment, the thermal medium comprises steam;however, in other embodiments other thermal mediums may be used, such asoil, steam, water, gas, or other suitable medium, including thosedescribed elsewhere herein. The steam may be delivered to the jacket 219through thermal delivery line 32 a. The steam may enter the jacket 219via thermal input port 231 and flow therein until discharged fromthermal output port 233. The discharged thermal medium, which may becondensed water, may be returned to heaters or steam generators forreheating via thermal return line 33 a.

The extraction vessel 200 also includes a plurality of ports forreceiving and discharging processing materials with respect to theinterior volume 230. The plant material may be delivered into theinterior volume 230 through a plant material loading port. Extractionvessel 200 includes port 218 a comprising one or more ports provided atan upper end 223 of the extraction vessel 200. In this embodiment, port218 a comprises a plant material loading port 218 a. In otherembodiments, the extraction vessel 200 comprises a plant materialloading port along a lower end 224 of the extraction vessel 200.

The extraction system 10 may include or be configured to receive asupply of solvent. In the illustrated embodiment, the extraction system10 includes a solvent storage tank 29 for containing a supply ofsolvent. Transport components comprising lines 34, 35 may fluidicallycouple the solvent storage tank 29 and the extraction vessel 200. A pump111 may be provided for pumping solvent along the lines 34, 35 to asolvent loading port, generally identified as port 218 a, or a portthereof. In another embodiment, the extraction vessel 200 may include asolvent loading port along lower end 224. The solvent loaded into theextraction vessel 200 through the solvent loading port may flow into theinterior volume 230 of the extraction vessel 200. Pump 111 or anotherpump may be used to evacuate the extraction vessel and provide a lowpressure environment for the extraction process as described above andelsewhere herein. For example, pump 111 may be in fluid communicationwith the interior volume 230 and operable therethrough to generatevacuum. Pump 111 may couple to the interior volume 230 through anevacuation port, generally identified as port 218 a, or a port thereof.For example, pump 111 may reduce pressure within the interior volume 230through line 34 and port 218 a. Valves may be used to control flowthrough the various transport component lines for transportingprocessing materials, thermal mediums, and generating low pressureenvironments. As introduced above, a control system may be operable toactuate valves and pumps to control various extraction processes.

A mechanical agitator 210 comprising an agitation member 212 extendsinto the interior volume 230. One or more extensions 214 may furtherextend from the agitation member 212 and to engage a column of plantmaterial and/or solvent within the interior volume. In the illustratedembodiment, the mechanical agitator 210 is mounted in the center of theinterior volume 230 of the extraction vessel 200 to move the plantmaterial 12 evenly through the duration of the oil extraction from theplant material 12. A motor 216 is operably connected to the agitationmember 212 to transfer rotation to the agitation member 212.

A transducer 220 is positioned to direct soundwaves into the interiorvolume 230. The transducer 220 may be positioned for even disbursementof soundwaves throughout the biomass column within the interior volume230. The transducer 220 may be a variable frequency transducer asintroduced above and described elsewhere herein. The transducer may bemovably mounted for changing the direction of soundwave emission fromthe transducer 220. The transducer 220 may be pivoted vertically and/orhorizontally, for example. As shown, the transducer 200 is positionedalong, e.g., extends from or through, a side perimeter or sidewalldefining the interior volume 230. As noted above and elsewhere herein,multiple transducers 220 may be positioned along the perimeter of theinterior volume 230. For example, one or more rows of transducers 220may be positioned along the perimeter. The transducers 220 may bealigned, staggered, or both. In some embodiments, one or moretransducers 220 are positioned along or extend through a bottomperimeter or bottom wall defining the interior volume 230 to directsoundwaves upward through the interior volume 230. Such transducers 220may be in addition to or instead of one or more transducers 220positioned along a side perimeter or sidewall of the interior volume230.

In operation, the mechanical agitator 210 and transducer 220 agitate thesolvent and plant material. The extraction vessel 200 may also provide alow pressure and elevated temperature environment within the interiorvolume 230 during or following agitation. For example, the plantmaterial and solvent mixture may be agitated by the mechanical agitator210 and disrupted by the soundwaves emitted by the transducer 220 in aheated and low pressure environment to promote transition of the mixtureinto vapor and steam components. As introduced above, the low pressurereduces boiling points required for vaporization and reduces cannabinoidburn off and degradation.

The extraction vessel 200 may include a discharge port for gas and steamto discharge from the interior volume 230. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, discharge port is generally identified as port 218 a, or a portthereof positioned along the upper end 223. Steam and gas may dischargefrom the interior volume through port 218 a and flow along a transportcomponent comprising line 14 a to condenser 300 for demulsifyingseparation and dewatering.

An additional port (not visible) may also be provided at the upper end222 of the extraction vessel 200 for discharge of gas and steamcomprising pay material and solvent.

A discharge port may be provided at a lower end 224 of the extractionvessel for discharge of remaining biomass following extraction. Forexample, the extraction vessel 200 may include port 118 c and beconfigured to discharge the remaining biomass from the interior volume230 through port 118 c. The discharged biomass may discharge intodischarge line 36.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 4,illustrating a cross-section of the condenser unit 300 according tovarious embodiments, condenser unit 300 may comprise a horizontalcondenser configured for demulsifying separation and dewatering of theextract and solvent mixture.

Condenser unit 300 includes a jacketed 317 for temperature control. Thejacket 317 jackets an interior flow path 318 that extends through thecondenser unit 300. The extraction system 10 includes or is configuredto couple to a supply of thermal medium comprising chilled water oranother cooling fluid. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling water istransported along a transport component comprising thermal delivery line38 a and is delivered into the condenser jacket 317 through thermalinput port 316. The cooling water may flow through the jacket 317 anddischarge from thermal output port 316. The gas and steam comprising thesolvent/extract mixture may be provided into the condenser 300 from line14 a through feed port 310. In some embodiments, the condenser 300 mayinclude a coupling line 31 to couple multiple condensers 300 and/ormultiple extraction vessels 200. For example, multiple extractionvessels 200 may feed condenser 300. In this or another example, multiplecondensers 300 may receive gas and steam from one or more extractionvessels 200. Coupling line 31 may input at feed port 311. In someembodiments, input port 310 and input port 311 comprises the same port.

As introduced above, condenser unit 300 may be configured fordemulsifying separation to recover lighter terpenes, solvent, and paymaterial as well as separate water. Solvent is recovered and sent viatransport component to the solvent tank 29 from discharge port 312 fordisposal or reuse in subsequent extractions. The transport component isillustrated as line 16 a. In some embodiments, line 16 a comprisesmultiple lines for transporting different solvents or solvent blends todifferent solvent storage tanks 29. In some applications, recoveredsolvent may be returned to the extraction vessel. For example, theextraction vessel 200 may further include a solvent return port forreceiving condensed solvent from the condenser unit 300. For example,the solvent return port may include a port positioned along the upperend 223 or lower end 224 of the extraction vessel, such as port 218 a,218 b. In the illustrated embodiment, condensed solvent may be returnedto the extraction vessel 200 through a transport component comprisingline 16 b and be delivered into the interior volume through port 218 b.However, in other embodiments, there is not a condensed solvent returndirectly to the extraction vessel 200 and all condensed solvent istransported to a solvent storage tank or for disposal. It will beappreciated that the particular uses identified for the illustratedports may be rearranged. For example, port 218 b could be used forinputting feed material into the interior volume 230 of the extractionvessel.

The recovered terpenes are similarly recovered for reuse later. Theseterpenes may be discharged from the condenser 300 via a discharge port,which is not visible in the depicted cross-section. These terpenes maybe transported using one or more transport components to one or moreterpene storage containers or directly to storage tanks containingrefined extract. For example, the light terpenes recaptured by thecondenser 300 may be collected and stored for future use together withor separate from the extract or another extract or may be recombinedwith the extract or another extract following refinement.

The separated portion of the mixture comprising the pay material may bedischarged through a pay port (not visible in the illustratedcross-section) and transported through a transport component comprisingline 18 a to the winterization unit 400 for dewaxing. In the illustratedembodiment, the transport line 18 a includes a visualization portion 17comprising a sight glass or transparent tube or portion thereof thatallows a user to observe the material passing from the condenser alongline 18 a. In some embodiments, the transport line 18 a may include ananalysis portion comprising a sensor 1022 (see FIG. 11), such an opticalsensor, may be positioned to measure one or more characteristics of thematerial. For example, the sensor may detect transparency or employabsorption spectroscopy to analyze the material. The controller 1010 maygenerate a warning when characteristics of the material are outsidethreshold parameters determined from an operation program, for example.Some embodiments may not include a visualization portion 17 and/or ananalysis portion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transport component also includes apay material storage tank 18 b for storing pay material prior todewaxing. In other embodiments, the pay material may be transporteddirectly to the winterization unit 400. The pay material storage tank 18b may include a coupling line 19 to couple multiple pay material storagetanks 18 b and/or multiple condensers. For example, multiple paymaterial storage tanks 18 b may hold the pay material transportedthrough line 18 a. One or more of those pay material storage tanks 18 bmay also receive pay material from one or more other condensers 300. Insome embodiments, coupling line 19 may receive pay material fromadditional condensers 300. A pump 18 c is provided for transporting paymaterial from the pay material storage tank 18 c, through line 18 d, tothe winterization unit 400. Separated water that is condensed in thecondenser 300 may be collected and transported by a water transport line(not shown) to a water storage tank or for disposal.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 5,illustrating a cross-section of the winterization unit 400 according tovarious embodiments, the winterization unit 400 may comprise an inlinewinterization and dewaxing unit to separate glycerin and organic waxdirectly from the pay material. The winterization unit 400 unit includesa feed port 410 for receiving the pay material and a pay port 412 fordischarging the winterized pay material.

The winterization unit 400 includes a flow path 414 through which thepay material is flowed. Walls 416 defining the flow path are chilled tolow temperatures, e.g., between −20° F. and −50° F. or colder, toextract heat from the pay material. Pump 18 c, 20 a, and/or another pumpmay be used to flow the pay material along the flow path. The flow pathmay include a series of filters or screens through which the lowtemperature pay material is passed to collect various waxes, fats, andglycerin. In some embodiments, the walls 416 defining the flow path arechilled by a refrigerant system. In one example, the winterization unit400 rapidly cools the pay material from a temperature between 220° F.and 100° F., such as between 160° F. and 120° F., to approximately −20°F. to −50° F., such as approximately −30° F. In other embodiments, thepay material may be delivered into the winterization unit 400 at a lowertemperatures, such as when the pay material has undergone an extendedresidence within the pay material storage tank 18 b. The reduction intemperature causes solidification and/or agglomeration of glycerin andwaxes. The winterization unit 400 may further include a plurality offilters 418 positioned along the flow path to filter the pay materialand thereby remove the glycerin and wax.

The winterized pay material may be discharged from the winterizationunit through pay port 12 and subsequently transported by a transportcomponent comprising line 20 a, pump 20 b, and line 20 c to the filterunit 500.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 6,illustrating filter unit 500 according to various embodiments, thefilter unit 500 may be configured to remove particulates to the micron.The filter unit 500 comprises a press filter configuration. Pay materialis fed into the filter unit 500 through a feed port 510. The filter unit500 includes plates 516 between which the pay material may be filteredduring the press filtering process. The filtered pay material maydischarge from the filter unit through pay port 514. As noted above,other filtration units 500 may be used, such as a VSEP Filter.

Transport component 20 may transport the winterized pay material to thefilter unit 500 wherein the pay material is further filtered. Filterunit 500 is configured to remove particulates from the pay material tothe micron. In various embodiments, the filter unit 500 includes a pressfilter or vibratory shear enhancing process (VSEP) system. The filtersthrough which the cool pay material is passed with respect to thewinterization unit 400 preferably filter larger particles to maintain aconsistent flow through the filters and filter unit 500. For example,filtering in winterization with larger filters for winterization mayreduce clogging events or filter cleanings compared to use of smallerfilter sizes. However, in one embodiment, the extraction system 10 doesnot include filter unit 500 and transport component 20 transports paymaterial from the winterization unit 400 to the preheater 600. It willbe appreciated that in some embodiments, the filter unit 500 may be anextension of the winterization process to include additional filters forfiltering progressively smaller particles.

After being discharged from the filter unit 500, a transport componentmay transport the pay material to the preheater 600. In the illustratedembodiment, the transport component comprises line 22 a, pay materialstorage tank 22 b, and line 22 c. In some embodiments, pay material maybe transported directly to the preheater 600 from the filter unit 500.As noted above, in some embodiments, the extraction system 10 does notinclude a filter unit 500, in one such embodiment, the pay material istransported to the pay material storage tank 22 b prior to transportingthe pay material to the preheater 600, while in another embodiment thepay material is directly transported to the preheater 600 from thewinterization unit 400. The pay material storage tank 22 b may includemultiple pay material storage tanks coupled by a coupling line 23. Thepay material storage tanks 22 b may receive pay material from one ormore winterization units 400 or filter units 500. The winterization unit400 may also include a port 413 for receiving pay material fromadditional storage tanks 18 b, condensers 300, or transport lines 18 a,18 c. In some embodiments, transport line 18 a, 18 c may couple tomultiple storage tanks or condenser 300.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 7,illustrating a cross-section of the preheater 600 according to variousembodiments, the preheater 600 is positioned to receive the pay materialfrom line 22 c. The preheater 600 is configured to preheat the paymaterial prior to refining cannabinoid extraction at the short-pathdistillation unit 700. The preheater includes a feed port 610 forreceiving pay material and pay port 612 for discharging preheated paymaterial. The pay material is flowed through an interior flow path 614defined by the preheater 600. The preheater 60 includes a thermalcomponent comprising a jacket 616 through which thermal medium may beflowed to heat the interior flow path 614, such as the walls 622defining the interior flow path 614, and transfer the heat to the paymaterial.

As introduced above, the extraction system 10 includes or is configuredto couple to one or more supplies of thermal medium comprising a hotfluid. The thermal medium may include a heated fluid such as hot gas,water, steam, or oil, for example. The supply of thermal medium may bethe same or different than the supply used for other sub-processequipment and/or transport components. In the illustrated embodiment,the extraction system 10 includes or is configured to couple to a supplyof thermal material comprising hot water. The water may be at atemperature from room temperature to boiling. The hot water may betransported through thermal delivery line 40 a and supplied into thejacket 616 through thermal delivery port 618. The hot water may beflowed within the jacket 616 thereby heating the walls 622 defining theinterior flow path 614. In the illustrated embodiment, the jacket 616defines a helical path through which the hot water flows. In someembodiments, the jacket 616 defines other paths such as longitudinalchambers, for example. After passing through the jacket 616, the hotwater is discharged through thermal discharge port 620 and may be flowedthrough thermal return line 41 a for reheating and recirculation ordischarge.

After processing through the preheater 600 the heated pay material isdischarged from pay port 612 and transported to the short-pathdistillation unit 700 by a transport component comprising line 24 a. Inone embodiment, the preheater 600 may be integrated with an initialportion of the short-path distillation unit, prior to an evaporationchamber.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 8,illustrating a cross-section of the short-path distillation unit 700according to various embodiments, the short-path distillation unit 700may include a thin film or wiped film evaporator/distillationconfiguration. The preheated pay material may be fed into the short-pathdistillation unit 700 at a feed port 710 for separation of pay materialconstituents and removal of any remaining solvent. The short-pathdistillation unit 700 may include an interior volume comprising anevaporation chamber 720 through which pay material is flowed. Theshort-path distillation unit 700 may include a thermal component forheating the vessel, e.g., a heater or jacket 714, 715 through which athermal medium may be flowed. The thermal medium may include a heatedfluid such as hot gas, water, steam, or oil, for example. The supply ofthermal medium may be the same or different than the supply used forother sub-process equipment and/or transport components. In theillustrated embodiment, the extraction system 10 includes or isconfigured to couple to a supply of a first thermal material comprisinghot water and a supply of a second thermal material comprising steam.The hot water may be transported through thermal delivery line 40 b andsupplied into the lower jacket 714 through thermal delivery port 716.The hot water may be flowed within the jacket 714 and discharged ascondensed water at thermal discharge port 717. The hot water may them betransported along thermal return line 41 c for reheating andrecirculation or discharge. The steam may be transported through thermaldelivery line 32 b and supplied into the upper jacket 715 throughthermal delivery port 718. The steam may be flowed within the jacket 715and discharged as condensed water at thermal discharge port 719. Thecondensed water may them be transported along thermal return line 33 bfor reheating and recirculation or discharge. The steam may be used toheat a surface 722 onto which a thin film of the pay material isdistributed. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the short-pathdistillation unit 700 may be configured to include two separate thermalheating paths. The separate paths may receive separate or differentthermal mediums. For example, the upper jacket 715 may receive a thermalmedium such as hot oil that is at a temperature greater than the thermalmedium that received into the lower jacket 714. In some embodiments, asingle jacket may be used.

The pay material may be fed into the evaporation chamber 720 anddistributed along the heated surface 722 within the evaporation chamber720. The short-path distillation unit 700 may include or be configuredto operatively couple to a motor for rotating a rotor from which aplurality of wipers extend to contact and agitate pay materialdistributed along the heated surface 722 within the evaporation chamber720. The short-path distillation unit 700 may also include oroperatively couple to a vacuum pump 724 for evacuating atmosphere tothereby reduce pressure within the evaporation chamber 720. For example,the vacuum pump 724 may generate a low pressure environment within theevaporation chamber 720, such as less than approximately −5 psi, lessthan approximately −10 psi, or lower. Exposure to the heated surface722, agitation, and the low pressure environment may result in selectiveevaporation of solvent and pay material components. Heavier componentsof the pay material flow to one or more pay ports 712 for collection andtransport through one or more transport components comprising one ormore transport lines 26 a. Transport line 26 a transports pay materialto appropriate pay material storage tanks 43 or vessels as needed. Forexample, the pay material may be transported to one or more pay materialstorage tanks 43, which may include multiple pay material storage tanks43 for collecting particular pay material components or blends of paymaterial components, which may include cannabinoid isolates by weightthat pass through the short-path distillation unit 700. As described inmore detail below and elsewhere herein, the short-path distillation unit700 may be configured with a recirculating loop for refining multiplepasses. For example, the short-path distillation unit 700 may beconfigured with a recirculating loop comprising transport lines 26 a, 24b to recirculate the pay material that does not evaporate and passesthrough the short-path distillation unit 700. The recirculation loop mayor may not include a pay material storage tank 43. As also described inmore detail below and elsewhere herein, the extraction system 10 mayinclude multiple short-path distillation units 700 and one or morecondensers 800 comprising one or more distillation paths for isolatingspecific cannabinoids from the pay material by weight. In variousembodiments, one or more pay product storage tanks 43 may be coupled bycoupling line 23. Coupling line 23 may enhance scalability of theextraction system 10 by expanding the amount of pay product that can bestored between circulation runs or passes through the same or othershort-path distillation units.

The vapor generated within the evaporation chamber 720 flows out of theshort-path distillation unit 700 through the vapor port 732 and isflowed along line 28 a to condenser unit 800. In various embodiments,the vapor may comprises gas and/or aerosol components.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and further reference to FIG. 9,illustrating a cross-section of condenser unit 800 according to variousembodiments, condenser unit 800 may include a vertical condenser. Thecondenser unit 800 may include an input port 810 for receiving vaporfrom line 26 a and delivering the vapor into an interior flow path 818of the condenser. The condenser unit 800 may be located proximate to theshort-path distillation unit 700. In various embodiments, condenser unit800 comprises a vertical condenser.

The condenser unit 800 may include a thermal component for cooling asurface within the interior volume 818. In the illustrated embodiment,the thermal component comprises a jacket 820 through which a thermalmedium may be flowed. The thermal medium may include a cooling fluid.The supply of thermal medium may be the same or different than thesupply used for other sub-process equipment and/or transport components.In the illustrated embodiment, the extraction system 10 includes or isconfigured to couple to a supply of a thermal material comprisingcooling water, e.g., between 38° F. and −20° F.). The cooling water maybe transported through thermal delivery line 38 b and supplied into thejacket 818 through thermal delivery port 814. The cooling water may beflowed within the jacket 820 and discharged at thermal discharge port816. The discharged water may them be transported along thermal returnline 39 b for cooling and recirculation or discharge.

The cooling water may cool a surface within the interior volume 818 ontowhich vapor may condense. The condenser unit 800 may be at low pressure,such as less than approximately −5 psi, less than approximately −10 psi,or lower.—The condenser unit 800 may separate remaining solvent andextracted pay material. The condensed solvent and pay material may bedischarged at discharge port 812 positioned along a lower end of thecondenser unit 800. Transport line 30 a may define one or more fluidpaths for receiving the condensate comprising separated solvent and oneor more fluid paths for receiving condensate comprising separated paymaterial. Discharge port 812 may comprise multiple discharge portscoupled to transport lines 30 a wherein the respective fluid paths maytransport the condensates to various collection tanks 45. While only onecollection tank is shown, collection tank 45 may include or couple to asolvent storage tank, which may be the same or a different tank thansolvent storage tank 29. Collection tank 45 may also include one or morepay material collection tanks for collection or storage of one or morerefined pay product components, such as various cannabinoids refined byweight. Collection tank 45, which can include solvent storage tanks, paymaterial storage tanks for further processing through the short-pathdistillation unit 700, or pay product collection tanks, may includecoupling lines 29 for coupling multiple such collection tanks.

As introduced above and elsewhere herein, the extraction system 10 maybe configured from multiple refining passes through multiple short-pathdistillation units 700 and one or more condensers 800. The short-pathdistillation units 700 and one or more condensers 800 may be aligned inparallel or in series and may define various distillation paths forseparating various pay material components or combinations of paymaterial components by weight. In these or other embodiments, one ormore short-path distillation units 700 may be configured forrecirculation. For example, transport line 26 a may recirculate paymaterial that does not evaporate within the short-path distillation unit700 via return transport line 24 b. Subsequent passes through one ormore short-path distillation units 700 configured to evaporate higherweight components allows separation by weight an condensation of theevaporated components and either further separation of the condensatefrom the condenser 800 or transport to one or more pay productcollection tanks, identified in FIG. 2 as collection tank 45, which mayalso include separate solvent tanks for solvent evaporated and condensedat lower temperatures.

Condenser unit 800 may also include a bypass port for discharge ofresiduals, e.g., gas, vapors, and/or aerosols that do not condensewithin the condenser unit 800. These vapors may be transported throughline 30 b and 30 a to a pump 60 and a vapor-liquid separator 70 forrecovery. In some embodiments, the pump 60 comprises a water ring pump.Pump 60 or another pump may be coupled to pay material storage tank 22 bvia a transport line 37 to collect gas, vapor, and/or aerosols withinthe pay material storage tank 22 b and transport them to thevapor-liquid separator 70. The residual recovery and/or recovery fromthe pay material storage tank 22 b will typically include terpenes andflavonoids which may be collected for analysis, addition to collectedpay product, further isolated, or any combination thereof. The controlsystem 1000 (see FIGS. 12 & 13) may allow the user, e.g., via the userinterface 1050, to selectively initiate the pump 60 to pull throughtransport line 37. For example, the controller 1010 may open a valvealong transport line 37 to allow the pump 60 to fluidically couple withthe pay material storage tank 22 b. In some embodiments, an operationprogram will specify timing of the controller 1010 initiating the pump60 and/or fluidic coupling of the pump 60 and the pay material storagetank 22 b. Transport line 37 may provide a further option for additionalcontrol over the extraction process. In some embodiments, the extractionsystem 10 may not include residual recovery processing.

As introduced above, one or more of the transport components may alsocomprise thermal components for providing temperature control totransported processing materials. For example, transport lines fortransporting pay materials may include jackets for providing heat orcooling to the pay materials. In one example, thermal medium comprisinghot water or oil is flowed through one or more transport lines thattransport pay materials. In some embodiments, pay material or paymaterial storage tanks may be jacketed for receiving thermal medium in asimilar manner to provide temperature control during storage.

The sub-process equipment and/or transport lines are preferablyconstructed from food grade stainless steel; however, other rigidconstruction materials may be used. The extraction system 10 may combineultrasonic extraction and distillation performed at low pressure withthe use food grade solvents, and/or inline winterization. Crude paymaterial may be preheated prior to being fed into a wiped filmevaporator at low pressure for refining distillation and extraction ofcannabinoids. In various embodiments, the entire apparatus istemperature controlled from end-to-end and incorporates hot steam/oil orchilled jacketed vessels and piping. Unlike CO2 extraction that operatesat high pressure, the extraction system 10 and process may operate lowpressure. In various embodiments, one or more sub-process equipmentand/or transport lines may include visualization portions and/oranalysis portions to visualize and/or analyze pay material or otherprocess materials. For example, as introduced above, a visualizationportion 17 comprising a sight glass may be provided along the transportline 18 a to visualize condensed pay material being transported from thecondenser 300. In this or another embodiment, visualization and/oranalysis portions may be provided on one or more of the solvent storagetank 29, extraction vessel 200, condenser 300, pay material storage tank18 b, winterization unit 400, filter unit 500, pay material storage tank22 b, preheater 600, short-path distillation unit 700, pay materialstorage tank 43, condenser 800, collection tank 45, or one or more oftransport lines 14 a, 16 a, 18 d, 20 a, 20 c, 22 a, 22 c, 24 a, 24 b, 26a, 28 a, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 37.

As introduced above, the extraction system 10 may be scalable. Forexample, vessels such as the solvent storage tank 29, extraction vessel200, pay material storage tank 18 b, pay material storage tank 22 b, orcollection tank 45 may be sized between 150 L and 6,000 L or more.Smaller sizes may also be used. In some examples, vessel may be furthercoupled thereby further increasing capacities of the extraction system10. In various embodiments, the control system 1000 may be configurableto control system operations 1115 for various sized and combination ofsized sub-process equipment and/or tanks. For example, a user, via theuser interface 1050, may specify vessel sizes or capacities of the aboveor other sub-process equipment such as condenser 300, winterization unit400, filter unit 500, condenser 800, or one or more of transport lines14 a, 16 a, 18 d, 20 a, 20 c, 22 a, 22 c, 24 a, 24 b, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a,30 b, 30 c, 37. The control program may then modify protocols ofextraction programs or identify or select suitable extraction programsto be used. In various embodiments, a cannabis oil extraction methodcomprising utilizing the extraction system 10, as described herein, toextract cannabis oil and generate a refined pay product.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cannabis oil extraction method 900 according tovarious embodiments. The method 900 includes delivering plant materialinto an extraction vessel 902, extracting oil from the plant material904, separating solvent from the extract 906, winterizing the extract908, subjecting the extract to micron filtration 910, distilling theextract using short-path distillation 912, and collecting the refinedpay product 914.

In various embodiments, delivering plant material into an extractionvessel 902 may include delivering plant material cut into pieces lessthan 3 inches, such as between 1 to 2 inches into an interior volume ofan extraction vessel. The extraction vessel and/or delivery of plantmaterial and/or solvent into the extraction vessel may be similar toextraction vessel 200 as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. Forexample, the plant material may be delivered into the extraction vesselwet. The solvent may be a food grade solvent, which may be a blend offood grade solvents. Other solvents may also be used. In one embodiment,the solvent is preferably a food grade solvent and/or a solvent thatnaturally occurs in the cannabis extract. The solvent may be deliveredfrom a solvent storage tank.

Extracting oil from the plant material 904 may be similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the extraction vessel 200 (FIGS. 1-3).For example, the extraction may include utilizing cellular disruptioncomprising solvent and agitation. The plant material and solvent mixturemay be mechanically agitated by an agitator. The agitator may include arotating agitation member positioned within a central portion of aninterior volume of the extraction vessel housing the solvent and plantmaterial. Alternatively or additionally, agitation may include cellulardisruption including introduction of soundwaves into the solvent. Theextraction vessel may include one or more transducers configured toproduce sonic and/or ultrasonic, soundwaves, e.g., between approximately5 kHz and approximately 250 kHz or more. One or more transducers maycomprise a full frequency transducer. The extraction may includerotating frequencies. In one example, the method 900 includes moving oneor more movable transducers to better position the direct of soundwaveemissions through the solvent.

Separating solvent from the extract 906 may be similar to that describedabove with respect to evaporation of solvent and extract from theextraction vessel and condensation of the steam and vapor with condenser300 (FIGS. 1-4).

In any of the above or another embodiment, separating solvent from theextract 906 may include supplying heat to the extraction vessel.Supplying heat to the extraction vessel may include supplying a thermalmedium comprising a hot fluid such as oil, water, gas, or steam to heatwalls of the extraction vessel defining an interior volume wherein theextract and solvent mixture resides. The extraction vessel may bejacketed and define passages, such as paths or lines, through which thethermal fluid may flow. The passages may be adjacent to the interiorvolume, e.g., passages and the interior volume may be separated by awall defining the interior volume. The thermal medium may provide heatto the extraction vessel up to approximately 220° F. Higher temperaturesmay be used by may result is cannabinoid degradation. Separating theextract 906 may also include evacuating atmosphere from the interiorvolume of the extraction vessel to generate a negative pressureenvironment. The pressure may be near vacuum. In one embodiment, thepressure is less than approximately −5 psi, less than approximately −8psi, approximately −10 psi, or less than approximately −10 psi. Thepressure may reduce a temperature at which components are subject toevaporation or boiling to promote evaporation or vaporization at lowertemperatures. In one example, the thermal medium may provide heat to theextraction vessel up to approximately 210° F., approximately 200° F., orapproximately 190° F., or lower.

In any of the above or another embodiment, separating solvent from theextract 906 may include selectively condensing the gas and steam toseparate solvent from the extract. The method 900 may include feedingthe gas and steam into a condenser. In one embodiment, the condenser isa horizontal condenser. The method 900 may include supplying a thermalmedium comprising a chilled fluid to the condenser to cool one or morecondensing surfaces. In one example, the condenser includes a jacketcomprising passages for thermal medium to flow. The passages may beadjacent to or run behind condensing surfaces, for example. In oneembodiment, separating solvent from the extract 906 further includesevacuating atmosphere from an interior flow path of the condenser togenerate a negative pressure environment. The negative pressureenvironment may be near vacuum. In some examples, the negative pressureenvironment is less than approximately −5 psi, less than approximately−8 psi, approximately −10 psi, or less than approximately −10 psi. Inone example, the negative pressure environment is approximately the sameas a negative pressure environment within the interior volume of theextraction vessel. The method 900 may include evacuating the extractionvessel, condenser, or both with a pump. A same or different pump may beused. The method 900 may include flowing the gas and steam along aninterior path defined by the condensing surfaces of the condenser tocondense and thereafter recapture solvent that condenses on a portion ofthe condensing surface. The recaptures solvent may be transported to asolvent storage tank for reuse in future extractions. The method 900 mayalso include collecting low weight terpene condensate that condenses ona portion of the surface that is warmer than the surface onto which thesolvent condenses. The collected terpene condensate may be transportedto a terpene storage tank for reuse, e.g., recombining with refinedcannabis oil pay product. The method 900 may also include collectingextract that condenses on a portion of the condensing surface that iscooler than the condensing surface onto which the solvent condenses. Thecondensed extract may be transported to for winterization. In oneembodiment, condensed extract may be transported to and pay materialstorage tank before transporting the extract for winterization.

Winterizing the extract 908 may be similar to that described above withrespect to winterization unit 400 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 5). For example,winterization may include an inline winterization process. Winterizationmay include flowing the pay material (extract) through and interior flowpath of an inline winterization apparatus. The interior flow path may bedefined by walls chilled to approximately −20° F. or below, such asbetween approximately −20° F. and approximately −50° F., such as lessthan −50° F. or less than −60° F. The method 900 may include reducingthe temperature of the pay material to between approximately −20° F. andapproximately −50° F. or less. The chilled pay material may be passingthrough a plurality of filters, which may be referred to a screens orsize exclusion filters, to remove agglomerated fats, glycerin, andwaxes. The winterized pay product may be transported to a micron filterfor the next step.

Micron filtration 910 may be similar to that described above withrespect to filter unit 500 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 6). For example, the micronfilter may comprise a press filter or VSEP filter unit and the method900 may include processing the pay material through the press filter orVSEP filter unit to filter particulates to the micron scale from the paymaterial.

The pay material may be transported from the micron filtration step tothe short path distillation step 912. In some embodiments, a micronfiltration step is not included or may be optional. In any of the aboveor another embodiment, the pay material may be transported to apreheater prior to being transported to the short-path distillation step912. For example, the pay material may be preheated with a preheater ina manner similar to that described above with respect to preheater 600(FIGS. 1, 2, & 7). In any of the above or another embodiment, the paymaterial may be transported to a pay material storage tank after beingwinterized or micron filtered, which may be before being transported toa preheater.

The short-path distillation 912 may be used to separate extractcomponents and obtain refined pay products. In some embodiments,short-path distillation 912 comprises molecular distillation. Short-pathdistillation 912 of the pay material may be similar to that describedabove with respect to short-path distillation unit 700 and condenser 800(FIGS. 1, 2, 8, & 9). For example, short-path distillation 912 mayinclude using a wiped film, agitated, fallen, or thin film evaporationprocess.

The short-path distillation 912 may include supplying heat to anevaporation chamber, which may include multiple evaporation chambers.Supplying heat may include supplying a thermal medium comprising a hotfluid such as oil, water, gas, or steam to heat walls of an evaporationchamber. The evaporation chamber may comprise an interior volume of afilm evaporator as described herein. The evaporation chamber may bejacketed to receive the thermal medium within passages of the jacketwhich may be adjacent to or underlying surfaces to heat. In oneembodiment, multiple thermal mediums may be supplied to providingdifferential degree of heating. For example, higher heat medium may beprovided to a jacket portion positioned to heat an upper portion of theevaporation chamber and lower heat medium may be provided to a jacketportion positioned to heat a lower portion of the evaporation chamber.The short-path distillation 912 may include evacuating atmosphere fromthe evaporation chamber to generate a negative pressure environment. Thenegative pressure environment may be near vacuum. In some examples, thenegative pressure environment is less than approximately −5 psi, lessthan approximately −8 psi, approximately −10 psi, or less thanapproximately −10 psi.

The short-path distillation 912 may include feeding the pay materialinto the evaporation chamber. In some embodiments, the pay material maybe distributed along a heated surface within the evaporation chamber andthereon agitated with a blade of wiper. The wiper may be a rotatingwiper, for example.

Pay product that passes through the evaporation chamber may berecirculated for additional passes through one or more short-pathdistillation processes, which may be provided by one or more additionalshort-path distillation units, having different parameters to targetparticular pay material components, e.g., by weight. In one embodiments,the pay material that passes through the evaporation chamber may bestored in a pay material recirculation storage tank prior beingrecirculated. In one embodiment, pay material passing through theevaporation chamber is collected as refined pay product.

Vapor, which may include gas and aerosols, produced in the evaporationchamber may be transported to a condenser, which may include multiplecondensers. The condenser may be similar to condenser 800 describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 & 9. The short-path distillation 912may include supplying a thermal medium to the condenser to cool thecondenser. The thermal medium may comprise a cool fluid such as water orgas that may be used to cool walls or surfaces of an interior passage ofthe condenser. In one embodiment, the condenser is jacketed to receivethe thermal medium within passages of the jacket which may be adjacentto or underlying surfaces to cool. The short-path distillation 912 mayinclude evacuating atmosphere, e.g., with a pump, from the interiorpassage to generate a negative pressure environment. The negativepressure environment may be near vacuum. In some examples, the negativepressure environment is less than approximately −5 psi, less thanapproximately −8 psi, approximately −10 psi, or less than approximately−10 psi.

The method 900 may further include flowing the vapor generated from theevaporation chamber through the interior passage of the condenser andcollecting condensate. The may include residual solvent and thus themethod 900 may include recapturing residual solvent that condenses on aportion of the condensing surface. The residual solvent collected ascondensate from the condenser may be transported to a solvent storagetank.

The method 900 may also include flowing residual vapor to a vapor-liquidseparator to separate remaining low weight extract components such asterpenes and flavonoids.

Condensate collected from the condenser may include pay material. Thispay material may be collected and kept as refined pay product at step914 or may be sent back for additional separation of the pay materials.In some embodiments, this may include an intermediate transport to arecirculation pay material storage tank before being recirculated foradditional passes through one or more short-path distillation processes,which may be provided by one or more additional short-path distillationunits, having different parameters to target particular pay materialcomponents, e.g., by weight. For example, the method 900 may includerepeating molecular distillation of condensed pay material and/ornon-evaporated pay material at increased temperature in the evaporationchamber to obtain further refined pay product by weight.

To counter thermal loss during residence time in a pay materialrecirculation tank or time of transport, pay material, such ascondensate or pay material passing through the evaporation chamber mayalso be recirculated through the preheater prior to recirculationthrough the evaporation chamber. In some embodiments, a valve may beused to route the pay material along transport lines for recirculationthrough the preheater or to bypass the preheater before recirculationthrough the evaporation chamber. As introduced above, the preheater mayheat the pay material for to a desired temperature for the particularweight separation desired during circulation or recirculation throughthe evaporation chamber.

In further embodiments, method 900 may also include adding terpenesand/or flavonoids recaptured following during the separation of solventfrom extract step 906 to the collected refined pay product. In this oranother embodiment, the method 900 may include adding terpenes and/orflavonoids recaptured during the short-path distillation step 912 to thecollected refined pay product.

In various embodiments, method 900 may be performed utilizing anend-to-end processing apparatus, such as extraction system 10 describedabove (FIGS. 1-9) and elsewhere herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a cannabis oil extractionmethod 918. The method 918 may be similar to the method 300 describedwith respect to FIG. 10. Plant material 919 may be input into theprocess and subjected to cellular disruption 920 to extract cannabis oilfrom the plant material. The cellular disruption 920 may be performed inan extraction vessel as described herein with respect to extractionvessel 200 (FIGS. 1-3) and with respect to step 904 of method 900 (FIG.10). For example, the cellular disruption 920, e.g., via mechanicalagitation and/or sonic agitation, may release the pay material into asurrounding solvent. Low pressure and heat may be applied such thatsolvent and extract evaporate into gas and steam 921.

The gas and steam 921 may be subsequently condensed in a horizontalcondenser 922. Condensing the solvent and extract in the horizontalcondenser 922 may be similar to that described herein with respectcondenser 300 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 4) and with respect to the condensationaspects of the separating the solvent from the extract step 906 ofmethod 900 (FIG. 10). The horizontal condenser 922 may condense thesolvent portion of the steam and gas to wherein the condensed solvent923 may be transported to a solvent capture or solvent storage tank 924.The horizontal condenser 922 may also condense a portion of the extractcomprising low weight terpenes 925, which may be collected 926 for lateruse. The horizontal condenser 922 may also condense the remainingportion of the extract 924.

The extract 924 may next be subjected to winterization 930.Winterization may be similar to that described above with respect towinterization unit 400 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 5) and the winterization step 908of method 900 (FIG. 10).

The winterized extract 931 may subjected to micron filtration 932 toremove particulates to the micron scale. Micron filtration 932 may besimilar to that described above with respect filtration unit 500 (FIGS.1, 2, & 6) and the micron filtration step 910 of method 900 (FIG. 10).

The micron filtered extract 933 may be preheated at step 934 prior tothe preheated extract 935 being subjected to molecular distillation 936.Preheating may be similar to that described above with respect to withrespect preheater 600 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 7).

The molecular distillation 936 may be similar to the process describedwith respect to the short-path distillation unit 700 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 8)and the short-path distillation described with respect to the short-pathdistillation step 912 of method 900 (FIG. 10).

The molecular distillation 936 evaporates a portion of the extract. Thisvapor 337, which may include gas and aerosol, may be condensed in avertical condenser 938.

A portion of the vapor 337 at initial evaporation stages or moleculardistillations at lower temperatures may include residual solvents whichmay be condensed in the vertical condenser 938, collected, and sent to asolvent tank for reuse or disposal.

A portion 939 of the vapor 337 may fail to condense in the verticalcondenser 938 and may be transferred to a vapor-liquid separator 940.The vapor-liquid separator 940 and the related processing may be similarto that described above with respect to the vapor-liquid separator 70(FIG. 2) and with respect to method 900 (FIG. 10).

Condensed pay product 945 may be collected and stored in a finishedrefined pay product storage tank 944. Vapor 337 that condenses in thevertical condenser 938 may include pay material 941 that may be sent toa pay material recirculation tank 942, e.g., if further separation ofcomponents within the pay material is desired. Additionally oralternatively the pay material recirculation tank 942 may receive paymaterial 943 that fails to evaporate during molecular distillation 936.This pay material 941, 943 may be recirculated for further moleculardistillation 936. The recirculation may be similar to that describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, & 9 and method 900 (FIG. 10). Forexample, multiple passes through one or more distillation and condensersmay be utilized to achieve a desired weight separation of pay productcomponents. The vapor 337 generated from the molecular distillation 936of the recirculated pay material 941, 942 may be sent to the verticalcondenser 938 where the resulting condensate of the pay product 945having the desired weight separation may be collected in the finishedrefined pay product tank 944, which may be similar to the pay productcollection tank described above with respect to FIG. 2 and method 900(FIG. 10).

In various embodiments, method 900 may be performed utilizing anend-to-end processing apparatus, such as extraction system 10 describedabove (FIGS. 1-9) and elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, solvent may be added to the extraction vessel 200prior to the plant material. Plant material may also be added before orduring addition of solvent. In one embodiment, the solvent may bedelivered into the interior volume preheated.

In any of the above or another example, and with further reference toFIGS. 12 & 13, the extraction system 10 includes a control system 1000comprising a controller 1010 operable to control system operations 1015,e.g., processes and parameters. In one embodiment, the controller 1010may be operable to control parameters such a temperature of product,processing materials, or environment with respect to one or moresub-process equipment, transport lines 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, or combinations thereof. For example, the controller 1010 may beoperable to actuate valves to control flow or pressure, initiate oradjust operations of pumps, heaters, coolers, agitators, or other systemoperations 1015.

In various embodiments, the control system 1000 may include orcommunicate with one or more sensors 1020 to obtain extraction processdata 1030 from which the controller 1010 analyzes to determine variouscontrol operations. The extraction process data 1030 may be transmittedfrom the one or more sensors 1020 to the controller 1010 via wired orwireless communication port. For example, the communication port, whichmay include multiple communication ports each associated with one ormore sensors 1020 may include a transmitter or transceiver to transmitthe extraction process data 1030 to communication port 1040, which mayinclude or communicate with a receiver or transceiver to receive thetransmitted extraction process data 1030. In some embodiments, the oneor more sensors 1020 include thermal sensors, pressure sensors, opticalsensors, video or image sensors, proximity sensors, flow sensors,proximity sensors, motion sensors, moisture sensors, weight sensors,sound or electromagnetic wave sensors (transmitter, receiver, ortransceivers), capacitance sensors, or other sensors.

FIG. 12 provides an overview of the control system 1000 for controllingsystem operations 1015 as described herein. The control system 1000comprises a flexible platform from which various tasks or functionsrelated to the operations of the extraction system, e.g., controlling ormonitoring the operations of the system.

The control system 1000 may include a controller 1010 configured toperform various monitoring and control tasks with respect to theextraction system. As introduced above, the controller 1010 may beconfigured to operatively associate with one or more sensors 1020positioned to sense, detect, or measure conditions of the extractionsystem in real-time. The controller 1010 may be configured to route ormake available operation data to one or more operation databases 1060 oruser interfaces 1050. The operation database 1060, for example, may beaccessed by the controller 1010 to retrieve, store, or archive controlsystem data, which may include raw, processed, or analyzed operationdata, events, as well as parameter definitions, including rules,statistics, tables, algorithms, or other data used to process or analyzedata including generating or identifying operational conditions. Sensors1020 may collect operation data comprising extraction process data andtransmit, either wireless or by wired connection, the extraction processdata to the controller 1010, as introduced above. The operationsdatabase 1050 may include files comprising instructions executable bythe controller 1010 to perform one or more aspects of a control program.The controller 1010 a processing unit 1070 as shown in FIG. 13 forexecuting the instructions. The controller 1010 may execute the controlprogram and be configured to interface the functionalities of thecontroller 1010 with users via one or more user interfaces 1050. Thecontrol program 120 may define various administrative parameters, e.g.,definitions or settings, of the control system 1000 such as operationaland administrative decision rules including set points, operationalcondition identification, and analysis parameters, any of which mayinclude customizable definitions to fit a desired application. Forexample, the controller 1010 may be operatively associated with one ormore processes of the extraction system to monitor, collect, analyze,process, and/or communicate data indicative of operational conditions,events, or states as defined by the control program. In variousembodiments, the control program includes selectable processingprotocols including set points definitions, threshold definitions,trigger event definitions, and/or response definitions.

The controller 1010 may also be configured to process the operationdata. For example, the controller 1010 may analyze the operation data todetermine operational conditions, format the operation data into adesired format or generate reports, e.g., enter select data or analyzeddata into predefined forms or according to requests received from usersinterfaces 1050.

In various embodiments, the controller 1010 may be programmed toactivate, deactivate, or modulate one or more system actuators 1115 a,motors 1115 b, pumps 1115 c, valves 1115 d, heaters 1115 e, coolers 1115f, transducers 1115 g, or combination thereof. The controller 1010perform the above operations according to programed sequences accordingto a formula for example, upon receiving an instruction from a userinterface 1050, or in response to extraction process data 1030 receivedfrom one or more sensors 1020. Sensors 1020 may include temperaturesensors 1020 a, pressure sensors 1020 b, flow sensors 1020 c, feedsensors 1020 d, volume sensors 1020 e, position sensors 1020 f, as wellas any other sensor, including those described elsewhere herein. Asintroduced above, sensors 1020 may transmit extraction process data 1030via wired or wireless connection to the controller 1010. On or moresensors 1020, for example, may include a communication port 1020configured to send electronic communication signals. For example,sensors 1020 may include a transmitter or transceiver for two-waycommunication with a communication port 1040 comprising a transceiver incommunication with controller 1030. For example, the controller 1010 mayinitiate collection of extraction process data 1030 from a sensor. Thecontroller 1010 may then activate, deactivation, or modulate a systemoperation 1115 based on the extraction process data 1030 collected bythe sensor 1020 and transmitted to the controller 1010. The controller1010 may analyze the extraction process data 1030 communicated from oneor more of the sensors 1020 operatively associated with varioussub-process equipment and compare the data to thresholds and parametersprovided by a predefined program selected by user and then activelymodulate system operations 1115 to conform the selected program.

As introduced above, the controller 1010 may be configured tocommunicate signals to one or more interfaces, e.g., programs, controlsystem or external devices, user access devices or applications, orindicators which reflect a condition, event, state, activity, orfunction of the extraction system. For example, one such indicator mayinclude a notification, which may include activation of a warning light,an audible alert, or a message sent to and displayed on a graphicaldisplay associated with a local or remote user interface such as asystem control panel, computer, or personal electronic device, such as asmart phone.

Analysis of operation data may include the controller 103 utilizingadministrative parameters comprising analysis tools to determine,calculate, or classify an operational condition, event, or state andthen performing or initiating a predefined response or action inaccordance with administrative decision rules specified in the controlprogram. For example, the controller 1010 may compare raw or processedoperation data or an operational condition determined using such data topredefined set points. Set points may include measurable standardsidentified or specified by a user or otherwise defined in the controlprogram. Set points may include, for example, pressure or temperature inextraction vessel or short-path distillation unit, mechanical agitationrates, transducer frequency, transducer orientation, filter unit flow,preheater temperature, depth of solvent or biomass within the extractionvessel, valve states, filter efficiencies, expected remaining life offilters, or thermal medium temperature or flow rate.

When a set point comparison identifies an occurrence of a trigger event,the controller 1010 may respond in a predefined way. For example, thecontroller 1010 may transmit to one or more interfaces 1050 anotification, alert, or alarm. Additionally or alternatively thecontroller 1010 may perform or initiate a control operation specified bya decision rule, e.g., modulate an operation of the extraction system toaddress a trigger event. In various embodiments, set points or thepredefined response to a trigger event may be statically or dynamicallydefined and, thus, may be beneficially configurable to adapt todifferent operational conditions or circumstances within any givenapplication. In one embodiment, an authorized user may define thestatically or dynamically defined response to one or more triggerevents.

FIG. 13 illustrates various hardware units of a controller 1010according to various embodiments. In general, the controller 1010 mayinclude one or more processors, servers, databases, networks or networkdevices, and peripherals configured to obtain and transmit data andinitiate control operations configured to perform in whole or in partthe operations of the control program. As shown, the controller 1010comprises a processing unit 1070, e.g., one or more electronic dataprocessors or central processing units having logic controlfunctionalities. The controller 1010 further comprises a memory unit1075 comprising one or more electronic data storage mediums such asrecording media, read-only, volatile, non-volatile, semi-conductorbased, or other data storage mediums known in the art. The memory unit1075, for example, includes one or more data storage mediums havingstored thereon one or more programs or applications comprising software,firmware, or other instructions stored in one or more files executableby the processing unit 1070 to perform the various operations andfunctions of the controller 1010. The memory unit 1075 may furtherinclude database 1060. The instructions may include the control program1080, which may include interaction with additional applications orservices.

The controller 1010 may also include a communication unit 1090configured to transmit and receive data. The communication unit 1090 mayinclude one or more data ports, communication ports 1040, transmitters,receivers, transceivers, network cards, modems, gateways, routers,switches, firewalls, local, virtual, wide area, cloud/internet area, orinternet-based distributed networks, Ethernet, wireless or wired digitalcommunication devices, telecommunication devices, monitors, speakers,lights, buttons, knobs, or peripherals. The controller 1010 may alsoinclude or be operationally associated, e.g., via communication withassociated communication ports coupled with sensors or systemoperations, with control and monitoring components such as sensors,actuators, valves, pumps, power switches, etc. for controlling ormonitoring operational conditions of the extraction system.

This specification has been written with reference to variousnon-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will berecognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that varioussubstitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosedembodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of thisspecification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that thisspecification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth inthis specification. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, bycombining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps,components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations,and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodimentsdescribed in this specification.

The grammatical articles “one”, “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in thisspecification, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”,unless otherwise indicated. Thus, the articles are used in thisspecification to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”)of the grammatical objects of the article. By way of example, “acomponent” means one or more components, and thus, possibly, more thanone component is contemplated and may be employed or used in anapplication of the described embodiments. Further, the use of a singularnoun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes thesingular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.Additionally, the grammatical conjunctions “and” and “or” are usedherein according to accepted usage. By way of example, “x and y” refersto “x” and “y”. On the other hand, “x or y” refers to “x”, “y”, or both“x” and “y”, whereas “either x or y” refers to exclusivity.

Any numerical range recited herein includes all values and ranges fromthe lower value to the upper value. For example, if a concentrationrange is stated as 1% to 50%, it is intended that values such as 2% to40%, 10% to 30%, 1% to 3%, or 2%, 25%, 39% and the like, are expresslyenumerated in this specification. These are only examples of what isspecifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical valuesand ranges between and including the lowest value and the highest valueenumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in thisapplication. Numbers modified by the term “approximately” are intendedto include+/−10% of the number modified.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly,reference should be had to the following claims rather than theforegoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.Further, the illustrations of arrangements described herein are intendedto provide a general understanding of the various embodiments, and theyare not intended to serve as a complete description. Many otherarrangements will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. Other arrangements may be utilized andderived therefrom, such that logical substitutions and changes may bemade without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

1. A cannabis oil extraction apparatus, the apparatus comprising: anextraction unit, the extraction unit comprising: an extraction vesseldefining an interior volume to contain solvent and plant material, atransducer directed toward the interior volume to emit ultrasonicsoundwaves through the solvent, a mechanical agitator extending into theinterior volume and movable therein to mechanically agitate the solventand plant material, and a jacket comprising passages to receive athermal medium comprising a heated fluid; a first pump fluidicallycoupled to the interior volume of the extraction vessel to evacuateatmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere within the interior volume;a horizontal condenser fluidically coupled to interior volume of theextraction vessel to receive steam and gas comprising solvent andextract extracted from the plant material within the interior volume,the horizontal condenser configured to condense the steam and gas andseparate the solvent from the extract, the horizontal condensercomprising: an interior passage through which to flow the steam and gas,a condensing surface positioned along the interior passage, and a jacketcomprising passages to receive a thermal medium comprising a coolingfluid to cool the condensing surface; a second pump fluidically coupledto the interior passage of the horizontal condenser to evacuateatmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere within the interiorpassage; an inline winterization unit coupled to the horizontalcondenser by one or more transport lines, the one or more transportlines configured to flow condensed extract from the horizontal condenserto the inline winterization unit, and the inline winterization unitconfigured to reduce the temperature of the extract to approximately−20° F. or below; a micron filter unit coupled to the inlinewinterization unit by one or more transport lines, the one or moretransport lines configured to flow the extract from the inlinewinterization unit to the micron filter unit, the micron filter unitconfigured to filter the extract to remove particulates to micron scale;a preheater coupled to the micron filter unit by one or more transportlines, the one or more transport lines configured to flow the extractfrom the micron filter unit to the preheater, the preheater configuredto heat the extract; a short-path distillation unit coupled to thepreheater by one or more transport lines, the one or more transportlines configured to flow the extract from the preheater to theshort-path distillation unit, the short-path distillation unitcomprising: an evaporation chamber to receive and evaporate at least aportion of the extract, and a jacket comprising a passage to receive athermal medium comprising a heated fluid; a third pump fluidicallycoupled to the evaporation chamber to evacuate atmosphere and provide anegative atmosphere within the evaporation chamber; a vertical condenserfluidically coupled to evaporation chamber to receive and condense vaporfrom the evaporation chamber, the vertical condenser comprising: aninterior passage through which to flow the vapor, a condensing surfacepositioned along the interior passage to condense the vapor, and ajacket comprising passages to receive a thermal medium comprising acooling fluid to cool the condensing surface; and a fourth pumpfluidically coupled to the interior passage of the vertical condenser toevacuate atmosphere and provide a negative atmosphere within theinterior passage.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising arecirculation loop extending between an output port of the evaporationchamber and an input port of the evaporation chamber for transportingextract that passes through the evaporation chamber without evaporatingto the evaporation chamber for recirculation.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the recirculation loop comprises a recirculation storage tankfor storing extract prior to recirculation.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the vertical condenser comprises one or more verticalcondensers, wherein a collection line couples an output port of at leastone of the vertical condensers and an input port of the evaporationchamber for transporting condensed extract from the vertical condenserto the evaporation chamber for recirculation.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, further comprising a recirculation loop extending between an outputport of the evaporation chamber and the input port of the evaporationchamber for transporting extract that passes through the evaporationchamber without evaporating to the evaporation chamber forrecirculation.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the recirculationloop comprises a recirculation storage tank for storing extract prior torecirculation, and wherein the collection line couples to therecirculation loop.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the short-pathdistillation unit comprises a plurality of short-path distillation unitsaligned in a series, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or moretransport lines extending between an output port of each of theshort-path distillation units and an input port of a subsequentshort-path distillation unit, and wherein the evaporation chamber of thesubsequent short-path distillation unit is configured to be heated to atemperature higher than the evaporation chamber of the previousshort-path distillation unit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thevertical condenser comprises one or more vertical condensers, wherein acollection line couples an output port of at least one of the verticalcondensers and an input port of at least one of the evaporation chambersin the series for transporting condensed extract from the verticalcondenser to the evaporation chamber for recirculation.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first pump comprises the second pump and thethird pump comprises the fourth pump.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the micron filter comprises a press filter or a vibratoryshear-enhanced process (VESP) filter unit.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the one or more transport lines coupling the micron filter unitand the preheater comprise a storage tank for storing the extractbetween processing through the filter unit and the preheater.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the jacket of the short-path distillationunit includes a first jacket and a second jacket, the first jacket toreceive a first thermal medium and including a passage positioned toheat an upper portion of the evaporation chamber and the second jacketto receive a second thermal medium and including a passage positioned toheat a lower portion of the evaporation chamber.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the short-path distillation unit comprises a wiped filmextractor.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transducer is afull spectrum transducer.
 15. A method of extracting cannabis oil, themethod comprising: transmitting soundwaves through a mixture of plantmaterial and solvent to obtain a fluid mixture of solvent and extract;applying heat to the mixture of solvent and extract within a negativepressure environment to convert the fluid mixture of solvent and extractto steam and gas; condensing steam and gas in a horizontal condenser toseparate the solvent from the extract; winterizing the extract in aninline winterization unit; filtering the winterized extract with amicron filter; preheating the filtered extract with a preheater;evaporating a first portion of the extract in an evaporation chamber ofa short-path distillation unit, wherein a second portion of the extractpasses through the evaporation chamber without evaporating; condensingthe first portion of the extract in a vertical condenser; andevaporating one or more additional portions of the second portion of theextract in the same or one or more additional evaporation chambers athigher temperatures and condensing these one or more portions separatelyin the same or one or more additional vertical condensers to obtainrefined cannabis oil pay product comprising cannabinoids isolated byweight.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising evaporating oneor more additional portions of the first portion of the extract in thesame or one or more additional evaporation chambers at lowertemperatures, and condensing these one or more additional portionsseparately in the same or one or more additional vertical condensers toobtain additional refined cannabis oil pay products comprisingcannabinoids isolated by weight.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein theplant material is wet.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprisingmechanically agitating the plant material and solvent duringtransmitting the soundwaves through the mixture of the plant materialand solvent.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein transmitting thesoundwaves through the mixture of plant material and solvent furthercomprises rotating the frequency of the transmitted soundwaves.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising collecting low weight terpenes inthe horizontal condenser that condense at a lower temperature than thesolvent, and adding the low weight terpenes to one or more of therefined cannabis oil pay products.